South Africa Net Migration (2025)
South Africa's Net Migration: 146,370 persons (net inflows) in 2025, -20,602 persons (net inflows) YoY. World Bank (SM.POP.NETM), 1960–2025.
South Africa (2025)
146,370
persons (net inflows)
-20,602 persons (net inflows) YoY
YoY Change
-20,602
persons (net inflows)
Trend
down
Series length
66
years of data
Data
| Year | persons (net inflows) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 146,370 | -20,602 |
| 2024 | 166,972 | -61,250 |
| 2023 | 228,222 | -5,062 |
| 2022 | 233,284 | -224,962 |
| 2021 | 458,246 | +88,345 |
| 2020 | 369,901 | +38,777 |
| 2019 | 331,124 | +12,864 |
| 2018 | 318,260 | -24,886 |
| 2017 | 343,146 | +1,222,381 |
| 2016 | -879,235 | -1,520,385 |
| 2015 | 641,150 | +368,453 |
| 2014 | 272,697 | +40,467 |
| 2013 | 232,230 | -31,861 |
| 2012 | 264,091 | +198,925 |
| 2011 | 65,166 | -3,397 |
| 2010 | 68,563 | +27,035 |
| 2009 | 41,528 | +4,659 |
| 2008 | 36,869 | +530 |
| 2007 | 36,339 | +3,180 |
| 2006 | 33,159 | +1,873 |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 146,370 persons (net inflows) in 2025. The latest change was -20,602 persons (net inflows). Across 1960–2025 the series ranges from -879,235 persons (net inflows) in 2016 to 641,150 persons (net inflows) in 2015.
This page tracks net migration (immigrants minus emigrants) in South Africa. Positive values indicate net inflow.
Data sourced from World Bank via Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology intended for cross-country comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page tracks net migration (immigrants minus emigrants) in South Africa. Positive values indicate net inflow. It is published by World Bank and updated annually.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1960–2025 (66 observations).
The series peaked at 641,150 persons (net inflows) in 2015 and reached its lowest recorded value of -879,235 persons (net inflows) in 2016. The latest reading is 146,370 persons (net inflows) in 2025. The latest change was -20,602 persons (net inflows).