Nicaraguans such as these migrants seen lining up to cross the southern border after a recent holiday break say they favor the United States, Costa Rica and Spain to seek a better life.

Mario López |EFE

The United States, Costa Rica and Spain are the favorite destinations for two-thirds of Nicaraguans who want to emigrate to another country, according to a new survey.

The poll, conducted May 3-9 by the firm M&R Consultores, and published Monday by the daily La Prensa, revealed that 66.3 percent of the Nicaraguans consulted are ready to move away from their home country.

Another 31.7 percent of those asked said they would not leave Nicaragua and 2 percent did not respond.

According to the opinion survey, 44.5 percent of the Nicaraguan citizens consulted would prefer to go to the United States, 28 percent to Costa Rica and 12.3 percent to Spain.

Nearly 88 percent cited economic considerations when asked why they would consider emigrating.

The poll also found that 61 percent of those surveyed who identified themselves as sympathizing with the ruling Sandinistas are ready to leave Nicaragua for another country, again, mainly for economic reasons.

In December 2006, a month before the return to power of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega, the percentage of Nicaraguans ready to leave to “try their luck” in another country rose to 55.5 percent, the study found.

The survey was carried out among 1,600 people age 16 and up in the 15 provinces and two autonomous regions of the country and has a margin of error of 2.5 percent.