Thursday, June 26, 2025

July 29, 2016

Why Are So Many South Africans Emigrating To American Samoa?

The list of top emigration destinations for South Africans is pretty standard - but there's one country that may catch you by surprise.

4.4% of all South Africans who have emigrated to non-African countries have gone to American Samoa.

Can we just have a moment to take that in?

We know South Africans like that side of the world as the top spot belongs to Australia (1) – read more about that HERE – and New Zealand (4), but American Samoa?

This data was published by StatsSA through its Community Survey 2016, which shows how many South Africans emigrated to non-African countries over the past ten years. The biggest proportion left during 2015.

Following Oz, the popular destinations for permanent residency were the UK (2), USA (3), and Germany (5). Then, it’s American Samoa (6).

Here’s where South Samoa is in relation to Samoa:

Screen Shot 2016-07-29 at 12.34.46 PM

Migration Network Australia’s Marlene Prentice said that the age of those enquiring has dropped and the majority of applicants are white, skilled, and qualified, but that this year has seen more black professionals enter the emigration game.

Here’s the official list, thanks to Business Tech:

Screen Shot 2016-07-29 at 12.32.37 PM

Does anyone have any information on the American Samoa interest? I know its beautiful but wow, this one seems odd.

There must be more South Africans than locals on that small island.

[source: businesstech]