Migrant populations in South Africa
South Africa: Migrant populations was 2.63 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
2.63 million
World rank
29th
of 228 countries
All-time high
3.16 million
in 2015
All-time low
997,703
in 2000
Years of data
8
1990–2024
Migrant populations in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, migrant populations in South Africa stood at 2.63 million.
That represents a change of down 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, migrant populations in South Africa peaked at 3.16 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 997,703, in 2000.
That places South Africa 29th out of 228 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Migrant populations 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% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2.63 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 184,522, 14.3× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2.63 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 317,568, 8.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
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
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is migrant populations in South Africa?
- Migrant populations in South Africa was 2.63 million in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest migrant populations recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest migrant populations recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 997,703 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for migrant populations?
- South Africa ranks 29th out of 228 countries with data for 2024.
- Is migrant populations 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Migrant populations. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).