International migrants, by country of destination in South Africa
South Africa: International migrants, by country of destination was 2.63 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
2.63 million
World rank
29th
of 231 countries
All-time high
3.16 million
in 2015
All-time low
997,703
in 2000
Years of data
8
1990–2024
International migrants, by country of destination in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for international migrants, by country of destination in South Africa is 2.63 million, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, international migrants, by country of destination in South Africa peaked at 3.16 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 997,703, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 29th of 231 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
International migrants, by country of destination in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.29 million | — |
| 1995 | 1.01 million | -21.7% |
| 2000 | 997,703 | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 1.51 million | +51.7% |
| 2010 | 2.27 million | +50.2% |
| 2015 | 3.16 million | +39.0% |
| 2020 | 2.64 million | -16.6% |
| 2024 | 2.63 million | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.15 million | 1.01 million | 1.29 million | 2 |
| 2000s | 1.26 million | 997,703 | 1.51 million | 2 |
| 2010s | 2.72 million | 2.27 million | 3.16 million | 2 |
| 2020s | 2.64 million | 2.63 million | 2.64 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is international migrants, by country of destination in South Africa?
- International migrants, by country of destination in South Africa was 2.63 million in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest international migrants, by country of destination recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest international migrants, by country of destination recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 997,703 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for international migrants, by country of destination?
- South Africa ranks 29th out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is international migrants, by country of destination rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of International migrants, by country of destination. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).