{"id":57659,"date":"2026-04-30T06:14:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T06:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/?p=57659"},"modified":"2026-04-30T06:14:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T06:14:04","slug":"south-africa-ranks-high-global-homesickness-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/2026\/04\/30\/south-africa-ranks-high-global-homesickness-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa ranks high in global homesickness survey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Home is where the heart is, as the old saying goes. For the hundreds, if not thousands, of South Africans living overseas, good ol\u2019 Mzansi owns their hearts in abundance.<\/p>\n<p>Remitly, an American financial services company, recently conducted a global survey to determine which countries feel the most homesick. In it, they asked participants who have moved abroad about the things they missed most. These included family, friends, food and drink, and climate.<\/p>\n<p>Collecting the responses of 3 100 people from 21 nations worldwide, Remitly revealed the results of their findings.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-south-africa-takes-second-place\">SOUTH AFRICA TAKES SECOND PLACE<\/h2>\n<p>According to the survey, South Africa is the second-most homesick nation in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, Mzansi finished runner-up on the list with a whopping score of 96.10%. The Philippines narrowly beat us with a 96.15% score.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" alt=\"South Africa\" class=\"wp-image-2466108\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/South-Africa-ranks-high-in-global-homesickness-survey.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/South-Africa-ranks-high-in-global-homesickness-survey.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-second-768x512.jpg.optimal.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-second-750x500.jpg.optimal.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-second-960x640.jpg.optimal.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-second-640x427.jpg.optimal.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-second-255x170.jpg.optimal.jpg 255w\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mzansi is renowned, and missed, for its cultural heritage. Image: Freepik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Depending on your perspective, it\u2019s quite understandable. After all, the Rainbow Nation is a multi-cultural landscape, one made memorable by its stunning scenery, culinary delicacies and beloved, homegrown brands (biltong and Woolies, anyone?).<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, South Africa is home to the friendliest, most approachable and most accommodating folks on the planet \u2013 it\u2019s no wonder we were recently voted one of the world\u2019s most polite countries!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-else-does-homesickness-reign\">WHERE ELSE DOES HOMESICKNESS REIGN?<\/h2>\n<p>Here is the official list of the top 21 most homesick nations in the world (from first to last):<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Philippines \u2013 96.15%<\/li>\n<li>South Africa \u2013 96.10%<\/li>\n<li>Canada \u2013 96.02%<\/li>\n<li>Mexico \u2013 96.02%<\/li>\n<li>Brazil \u2013 94.44%<\/li>\n<li>India \u2013 94.12%<\/li>\n<li>France \u2013 93.53%<\/li>\n<li>Chile \u2013 93.33%<\/li>\n<li>Australia \u2013 93.00%<\/li>\n<li>Greece \u2013 91.84%<\/li>\n<li>Sweden \u2013 91.78%<\/li>\n<li>Spain \u2013 91.75%<\/li>\n<li>Portugal \u2013 91.18%<\/li>\n<li>United Kingdom \u2013 91.13%<\/li>\n<li>New Zealand \u2013 90.97%<\/li>\n<li>Germany \u2013 90.55%<\/li>\n<li>United States of America \u2013 90.55%<\/li>\n<li>Czech Republic \u2013 90.32%<\/li>\n<li>Italy \u2013 90.20%<\/li>\n<li>Ireland \u2013 89.01%<\/li>\n<li>Japan \u2013 85.71%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Interestingly, Canada and Mexico (both scoring 96.02%) tied for third place on the list.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCanadians may find themselves missing home comforts, seasonal traditions and familiar everyday routines when starting over in a new country,\u201d explained Remitly. \u201cMeanwhile, Mexico\u2019s strong food culture and emphasis on shared family meals can make long periods away from home and loved ones feel especially challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re pretty certain that there are plenty of South Africans who can relate to this. Which is why we landed in second place on the list, of course, but the point still stands.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-you-feeling-homesick-for-south-africa\">ARE YOU FEELING HOMESICK FOR SOUTH AFRICA?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" alt=\"South Africa\" class=\"wp-image-2466114\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777529643_952_South-Africa-ranks-high-in-global-homesickness-survey.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777529643_952_South-Africa-ranks-high-in-global-homesickness-survey.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-homesick-768x512.jpg.optimal.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-homesick-750x500.jpg.optimal.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-homesick-960x640.jpg.optimal.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-homesick-640x427.jpg.optimal.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thesouthafrican.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/south-africa-homesick-255x170.jpg.optimal.jpg 255w\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are various ways to cope with homesickness, including keeping in contact with friends and family. Image: Gpointstudio\/ Freepik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Jokes aside, homesickness is not to be scoffed at. Being away from your birthplace or long-time residence can take a huge toll on your mental health, as it can give rise to anxiety, concentration difficulties and depression.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed by feelings of homesickness, be sure to stay connected with your loved ones, as well as partake in familiar cultural activities and events wherever you are. You can also seek out professional counselling.<\/p>\n<p>Although South Africa has its challenges, as do other countries, it will forever remain a place of comfort, familiarity and security for the many Saffas dispersed around the world. In other words, it\u2019s home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n#South #Africa #ranks #high #global #homesickness #survey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home is where the heart is, as the old saying goes. For the hundreds, if not thousands, of South Africans&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mzansi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57659"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57659\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57661,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57659\/revisions\/57661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}