Exploring Angola's White Population

Angola is a country in Africa with a population of approximately 25 million people as of 2014. The ethnic composition of the country is diverse, with three main groups—the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, and Bakongo—each speaking a Bantu language. While the majority of Angolans are of Bantu origin, the country also has a significant number of individuals of mixed race (European and African) ancestry, who make up about 7% of the population. Additionally, there is a small percentage of white Angolans, who mainly consist of ethnic Portuguese and make up nearly 1% of the total population.

The number of white people in Angola

By the early 2000s, the number of white Angolans had significantly decreased. In 2014, census data indicated that approximately 1% of Angola's population was white, which amounted to over 300,000 people. This represented a notable decline from the pre-independence era. The white population in Angola is primarily made up of people of Portuguese descent, reflecting the country's history as a Portuguese colony until 1975. The Portuguese community in Angola has grown since then, with estimates of over 200,000 Portuguese nationals in the country as of 2000. This number is likely higher today due to Angola's demand for qualified human resources.

While the white population in Angola is relatively small, race relations in the country are generally positive. Interracial marriages and relationships have been common throughout Angola's history, resulting in a significant "mestiço" or "mulato" (mixed-race) population. This population is estimated to constitute 2-3% of Angola's total population and is well-represented in high positions within companies and elite social circles. However, there are still instances of discrimination and social inequality between white Angolans and black Angolans, often driven by differences in education and socioeconomic status.

Overall, the number of white people in Angola has fluctuated over time, with a significant decline following the country's independence and civil war. Today, the white population in Angola is small but culturally and historically significant, and race relations in the country are generally relaxed and marked by interracial mixing.

The history of white people in Angola

The Portuguese colony of Angola was founded in 1575 with the arrival of Paulo Dias de Novais, who came with a hundred families of colonists and four hundred soldiers. Luanda was granted city status in 1605. Many Portuguese settlers married native Africans, resulting in a mixed-race population. Angola was declared a formal Portuguese province in the 19th century, but it was not until the early 20th century that the mainland government allowed large-scale white emigration and settlement in Angola and its other provinces. In 1960, Angola had up to 172,000 Portuguese settlers, most of whom came from rural agrarian backgrounds in Portugal and contributed significantly to the economy.

As the Angolan War of Independence began in 1961, there was an influx of Portuguese military personnel, civil servants, and others, causing the number of Portuguese in Angola to rise to about 350,000. However, this number would have been higher if many settlers had not left for other countries, especially Namibia, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. When the Salazar regime in Portugal was abolished by a military coup in 1974, and independence was granted to the colonies by the new government, whites overwhelmingly left Angola after independence in 1975. This exodus is referred to as the "biggest exodus in the history of Africa" and was caused primarily by fear of nationalist rule and losing economic privileges, as well as a sense of not belonging in Africa. Most of the Portuguese Angolans who left in 1975 went to Portugal, where they were called retornados, while others moved to neighboring Namibia, South Africa, Brazil, or the United States.

After Angola abandoned the socialist regime in 1991, many Portuguese Angolans returned to Angola, and due to Angola's economic boom, an increasing number of Portuguese without previous attachments to Angola have migrated there for economic reasons. As of 2008, Angola was the preferred destination for Portuguese migrants in Africa, with Portuguese nationals numbering an estimated 120,000 in 2011 and reaching about 200,000 in 2013. Currently, whites are a minority ethnic group in Angola, accounting for over 1% of the country's population, and Portuguese is the official language of the country.

Race relations in Angola

Angola has a complex history of race relations, shaped by its colonial past and post-independence political landscape. As a former Portuguese territory, the country has a significant European population, with over 300,000 white Angolans as of 2014, the majority of whom are ethnically Portuguese. This makes Angola unique in Africa, with the largest non-African population outside of South Africa.

During the colonial era, racial mixing was actively encouraged by the Portuguese, in contrast to the practices of the French and British colonies. This resulted in the emergence of the 'mestiços' or 'mulatos' – mixed-race Angolans, who constitute around 2-7% of the population. Mestiços have traditionally held privileged positions in Angolan society, often occupying high-ranking roles in companies and the military. However, they are also viewed with envy by some, as they are seen as a reminder of colonial rule and are perceived to have benefited from better access to education and economic opportunities.

Despite the existence of racial tensions, Angola has been described as having "amazing" race relations, with people of different ethnicities mixing freely in social settings and the workplace. Interracial relationships are common, and it is not unusual to see multiracial families. This stands in stark contrast to neighbouring countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, where racial separatism is more prevalent.

However, the economic disparities between different racial groups have led to tensions. The influx of highly-skilled Portuguese immigrants in recent years has resulted in cases where expatriates earn significantly higher salaries than local Angolans doing the same job. This has caused resentment among some Angolans, who feel that expatriates are taking their jobs and benefiting from unfair advantages.

Additionally, the legacy of colonialism and the civil war has left a mark on race relations. During the civil war, Angola witnessed a mass exodus of white Angolans, with over 200,000 fleeing the country, fearing for their safety and economic future in a nationalist-ruled Angola. This had a crippling effect on the economy, as skilled workers and professionals left the country, causing disruptions in various industries.

Following independence, the political landscape was dominated by the MPLA, which included a significant number of white and mestiço members. However, their representation gradually declined, and by the 1980s, the government had become predominantly black. Despite this shift, race relations during this period were described as having “very little racism” by writer Pepetela, who attributed the relative harmony to the focus on education and the increasing number of educated black Angolans assuming leadership positions.

In conclusion, while Angola has a history of racial complexities, the country has also demonstrated a capacity for racial harmony and integration. The current challenges surrounding race relations are more closely linked to economic inequalities and the legacy of colonialism, rather than deep-seated racial animosity.

The impact of white people on Angola's economy

Angola has a long history of Portuguese influence, with the country being a former overseas territory of Portugal until 1975. This influence is evident in the predominance of the Portuguese language and the Catholic Church in Angola, as well as the presence of Portuguese nationals in the country.

During the colonial period, the Portuguese government encouraged investment in Angola's economy, particularly in commodities such as coffee, sisal, diamonds, and petroleum. This resulted in rapid economic growth by the 1970s, but the benefits of this growth were unevenly distributed, with most profits going to a small settler class. This inequality played a significant role in the development of nationalist movements and Angola's subsequent struggle for independence.

At the time of independence in 1975, there was a large exodus of skilled Portuguese workers, which had a negative impact on economic development. The new Angolan government struggled to fill the skills gap left by the departing Portuguese, and the economy suffered as a result. The civil war that broke out in the same year further exacerbated the economic challenges, displacing much of the population and disrupting transportation and infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, Angola's economy has grown significantly since the end of the civil war in 2002, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The country's vast mineral and petroleum reserves have played a significant role in this growth, with the petroleum industry generating substantial income. However, the benefits of this growth are still unevenly distributed, with most of the nation's wealth concentrated in a small portion of the population.

In recent years, Angola has sought to improve its investment climate and attract foreign investment, particularly in the non-extractive sector. Efforts to improve transparency, reduce corruption, and simplify processes for investors have been made, with the country signing agreements such as the Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) with the EU. However, challenges such as a slow and opaque judicial system and the perception of corruption continue to discourage investment in certain sectors.

Overall, the impact of white people, particularly those of Portuguese origin, on Angola's economy has been complex and multifaceted. While they played a significant role in the development of the country's economy during the colonial period, their departure at independence created economic challenges. Today, Angola continues to grapple with the legacy of colonialism and inequality, striving to create a more diverse and inclusive economy.

White Angolan immigration to Portugal

The history of white Angolan immigration to Portugal is closely tied to the political and economic situation in Angola. As a former Portuguese colony, Angola gained independence in 1975, which triggered a mass exodus of white Angolans, many of whom returned to Portugal. This event, known as the "white flight," saw hundreds of thousands of white Angolans fleeing the country due to fears of economic instability and political uncertainty in a nationalist-ruled Angola.

During the Angolan War of Independence, which began in 1961, there was an influx of Portuguese military personnel, civil servants, and other citizens to Angola, with the number of Portuguese residents reaching approximately 350,000. However, when Angola gained independence, the majority of these individuals left, with an estimated 250,000 departing in 1975 alone. Most of them returned to Portugal, where they were referred to as "retornados."

The impact of this exodus on Angola's economy was significant. Many skilled professionals, including doctors, lawyers, civil servants, and teachers, left the country, causing disruptions in various sectors such as agriculture and mining. The departure of white Angolans also affected local governance and service industries, with staff shortages affecting firms and local governments.

The migration of white Angolans to Portugal during this period was not without its challenges. Portugal was facing mass unemployment and political uncertainty at the time. Additionally, the returning refugees often faced conservative and anti-communist ideologies, particularly from those originating from northern Portugal. Despite these difficulties, the Portuguese government launched "Operation Airbridge" to evacuate its citizens before Angola's scheduled independence.

In the following decades, the migration patterns between the two countries continued to fluctuate. After the end of the Angolan Civil War in 2002, many Angolan migrants in Portugal returned to Angola, taking advantage of the country's economic growth and stability. However, the 2008 financial crisis in Portugal and the strong post-war economic growth in Angola led to a reversal in migration trends. Hundreds of thousands of Portuguese citizens migrated to Angola in search of economic opportunities, marking the first time a significant number of migrants moved from a former European colonial power to a former African colony.

By 2014, it was estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 Portuguese had moved to Angola, with many taking up positions in the construction sector and other industries. This migration also brought about complex dynamics regarding corruption, as Portuguese migrants navigated a different socio-economic landscape in their former colony.

In conclusion, the immigration of white Angolans to Portugal has been shaped by historical, political, and economic factors. The mass exodus during Angola's independence movement and the subsequent migrations influenced by economic opportunities and political stability have created a complex diaspora. Despite the challenges, white Angolans have contributed to the cultural and economic landscape of Portugal, with many investing in small businesses and sending remittances to their home country.

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