The hard work and determination of migrants from the largest economies in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the continent at large, have translated into impressive household incomes.
According to the latest data published by the United States Census Bureau, these African migrants ranked among those with the highest median household incomes in the United States in 2023, even surpassing the earnings of native-born Americans.
According to Immigration Impact, the black immigrant population in the U.S. increased by a notable 23.5%, from 3.5 million in 2012 to 4.3 million in 2022.
Africa and the Caribbean are among the top regions of origin for immigrants, with countries such as Jamaica, Haiti, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Kenya ranking highest in terms of immigrant population.
Africa’s migration push factors
Africa’s migration crisis is intensifying, driven by entrenched structural and governance issues, despite steady economic growth since 2000.
The continent still grapples with the world’s lowest average income per capita, while unresolved conflicts and rising authoritarianism fuel record-breaking displacement.
As of 2024, over a third of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population (36%) and approximately 7% of North Africa’s population live in extreme poverty.
Alarmingly, the number of Africans living in extreme poverty has risen from 285 million in 1990 to 468 million today.
As young people flee repression and seek opportunity, they often migrate to urban areas and eventually abroad, propelling a surge in migration.
According to the Africa Center, the number of African cross-border migrants is projected to reach 11–12 million by 2050.
The table below from the U.S. Census Bureau highlights the top 10 African countries whose migrants achieve the highest earnings (Annual) in the U.S. workforce.
| Rank | Country | Median income $ |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
South Africa |
107,595 |
|
2 |
Kenya |
93,568 |
|
3 |
Cameroon |
90,254 |
|
4 |
Egypt |
85,180 |
|
5 |
Ghana |
84,323 |
|
6 |
Nigeria |
80,711 |
|
7 |
Ethiopia |
72,438 |
|
8 |
Morocco |
69,549 |
|
9 |
Cape Verde |
62,086 |
|
10 |
Somalia |
46,616 |
South African migrants in the US boast the highest median household income among African diaspora communities, with a staggering $108,000.
Other top-earning groups include Kenyans, Cameroonians, Ghanaians and Nigerians, all of whom surpass the US average median household income of $77,000, and significantly outpace median incomes in their countries of origin.
On the whole, migration yields mutual benefits for destination and origin countries. Destination countries fill labor gaps, while origin countries receive vital remittances, bolstering household incomes, food security, and education.
