South Africa: Net migration
In , South Africa's Net migration was 146,370.00.
That's down 12.3% from 2024, the highest value since .
The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 112.71 . South Africa ranks #9 globally out of 217 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #2 of 48.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SM.POP.NETM) • Data as of 2025
Trend (2006–2025)
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 641,150.00
- Trough
- -879,235.00
- 1-year change
- -12.3%
- 5-year change
- -60.4%
- -16.9% / yr
- 10-year change
- -77.2%
- -13.7% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Net migration |
|---|---|
| 146,370.0000 | |
| 166,972.0000 | |
| 228,222.0000 | |
| 233,284.0000 | |
| 458,246.0000 | |
| 369,901.0000 | |
| 331,124.0000 | |
| 318,260.0000 | |
| 343,146.0000 | |
| -879,235.0000 |
About Net migration
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.
Indicator code: SM.POP.NETM • Category: Health & Population
Frequently asked questions
- What was South Africa's Net migration in 2025?
- In 2025, South Africa's Net migration was 146,370.00, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is South Africa's Net migration rising or falling?
- South Africa's Net migration fell 12.3% from 2024 to 2025.
- How does South Africa rank globally on Net migration?
- In 2025, South Africa ranked #9 out of 217 countries reporting Net migration.
- How does South Africa's Net migration compare to the world average?
- The global average for Net migration in 2025 was 112.71, so South Africa is above the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #2 of 48.
- What is Net migration and how is it measured?
- Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SM.POP.NETM), CC BY 4.0.