I read the article but it didn't disclose which countries are cheaper. I think you'll find any comparable country will have similar issues to Australia. Such as the UK, NZ, Canada etc. Both UK and Canada have major immigration and housing issues, NZ doesn't have the same immigration issues (yet) but they have significant housing issues and cost of living there compared to income is very disproportionate when compared with Australia. Many Kiwi's are leaving NZ for the same reasons, and where are most of them going - that's right, Australia.

And it's unfair to compare this with other countries where there is different standard of quality of life - India, Africa, South America, Middle East etc. 

A logical move might be somewhere in SEA. It's definitely cheaper than Australia, but how is the quality of life and work/study opportunities for a foreigner? Even then, countries that used to be seen as expat havens such as Thailand have their fair share of issues too. I've spent quite a bit of time in Indonesia and for a long time I actually planned to move there. Not anymore, the cost has gone up and Government is tightening up on things so there are a lot of restrictions what foreigners can and can't do/own. Might be good for a few years but hard to settle down there. Similar issues in China too. 

Also if you check the graph, it's a bit misleading. The amount of Aussies leaving Australia in 2024 is actually less than previous years 2014 to 2020 (when it starts to dip down). It is only when compared to this dip down in 2020/2021 that it looks like numbers are increasing.