Data / Net migration / South Africa

Net migration in South Africa

Net migration in South Africa was 228,222 in 2023, according to the World Bank. That is down 2.2% from 2022. That is the 12th highest of 215 countries in 2023.

2023, persons228,222
Change on 2022-2.2%
Rank12th of 215Countries ranked
Series high641,1502015
Series low-879,2352016

Net migration in South Africa, 1960 to 2023

-1M-500K0500K1M19601970198019902000201020231960: 18,891 persons1961: 57,728 persons1962: 69,771 persons1963: 72,844 persons1964: 76,298 persons1965: 82,514 persons1966: 77,417 persons1967: 81,932 persons1968: 78,932 persons1969: 73,225 persons1970: 61,514 persons1971: 32,961 persons1972: 38,163 persons1973: 41,125 persons1974: 38,518 persons1975: 38,809 persons1976: 27,333 persons1977: 63,739 persons1978: 62,121 persons1979: 56,323 persons1980: 258,127 persons1981: 279,985 persons1982: 293,195 persons1983: 310,172 persons1984: 290,789 persons1985: 244,940 persons1986: 234,378 persons1987: 231,009 persons1988: 246,382 persons1989: 255,605 persons1990: 259,718 persons1991: -39,131 persons1992: -71,342 persons1993: 194,977 persons1994: -268,849 persons1995: -98,403 persons1996: -193,007 persons1997: -98,181 persons1998: -82,722 persons1999: -126,011 persons2000: -136,794 persons2001: -60,793 persons2002: 50,313 persons2003: 65,604 persons2004: 58,924 persons2005: 31,286 persons2006: 33,159 persons2007: 36,339 persons2008: 36,869 persons2009: 41,528 persons2010: 68,563 persons2011: 65,166 persons2012: 264,091 persons2013: 232,230 persons2014: 272,697 persons2015: 641,150 persons2016: -879,235 persons2017: 343,146 persons2018: 318,260 persons2019: 331,124 persons2020: 369,901 persons2021: 458,246 persons2022: 233,284 persons2023: 228,222 persons
persons. Source: World Bank, Net migration (SM.POP.NETM). Retrieved 2026-10-11, published 2026-10-08.
All 64 values
Periodpersons
2023228,222
2022233,284
2021458,246
2020369,901
2019331,124
2018318,260
2017343,146
2016-879,235
2015641,150
2014272,697
2013232,230
2012264,091
201165,166
201068,563
200941,528
200836,869
200736,339
200633,159
200531,286
200458,924
200365,604
200250,313
2001-60,793
2000-136,794
1999-126,011
1998-82,722
1997-98,181
1996-193,007
1995-98,403
1994-268,849
1993194,977
1992-71,342
1991-39,131
1990259,718
1989255,605
1988246,382
1987231,009
1986234,378
1985244,940
1984290,789
1983310,172
1982293,195
1981279,985
1980258,127
197956,323
197862,121
197763,739
197627,333
197538,809
197438,518
197341,125
197238,163
197132,961
197061,514
196973,225
196878,932
196781,932
196677,417
196582,514
196476,298
196372,844
196269,771
196157,728
196018,891

Rankings

Definition

Immigrants minus emigrants during the year, citizens and noncitizens together. A negative value means more people left than arrived.

How to cite

World Bank, World Development Indicators. Net migration (SM.POP.NETM). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.NETM. Retrieved 2026-10-11.

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Questions

What is the net migration in South Africa?

Net migration in South Africa was 228,222 in 2023, according to the World Bank. That is down 2.2% from 2022. That is the 12th highest of 215 countries in 2023.

Where does this figure come from?

World Bank. Net migration (SM.POP.NETM). Retrieved by Invokely on 2026-10-11.

What was the highest net migration in South Africa?

641,150 in 2015, the highest value since 1960 in this series.

Net migration in other countries

Related statistics for South Africa

All statistics for South Africa