Zim is 3rd in Top 5 skills exporters to the UK

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe is ranked third in the list of Top 5 countries that have exported killed workers to the United Kingdom with the country’s citizens who were granted working visas in the European nation rising from 499 in 2019 to 8 363 in September last year.

This represents a 1 576% spike.

Most visas for Zimbabweans fall into the “Skilled Worker - Health and Care” worker category.

Although it has a small population of 15 million compared to other countries on the list, Zimbabwe made up 13% of new visa with 7 875 applications granted.

India had the highest number of visa grants in this category, accounting for 36% of the total while Nigerians made up 14% with 8 520 applicants.

Zimbabwe’s number of “Worker” visas grew from 506 in 2019 to 10 434 in September 2022, representing a 1 962% increase over that period.

Most Zimbabweans are citing poor pay and rising inflation and deteriorating working conditions as the major reasons that are forcing skilled workers to leave Zimbabwe.

The UK has been actively recruiting health workers from around the world, after removing visa caps on the profession in June 2018 and due to demand for healthcare professionals post after Covid-19.

According to census estimates by Zimstat last year, Zimbabweans emigration has accelerated over recent years, reaching an all-time high in 2021.

The country has just 3 500 doctors for 15 million people, according to the Zimbabwe Medical Association, which indicated last year that the estimated number of health workers lost to other countries stood at 4 000.

The skills flight from Zimbabwe is likely to worsen going forward as Zimbabwe is among nations that include Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana, whose teachers are eligible for qualified teacher status, which makes it easier for them settle and work as teachers in the UK.