Migrant stock total in South Africa
South Africa: Migrant stock total was 2.63 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
2.63 million
World rank
29th
of 232 countries
All-time high
3.16 million
in 2015
All-time low
997,703
in 2000
Years of data
8
1990–2024
Migrant stock total in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2.63 million for migrant stock total in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, migrant stock total 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 232 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Migrant stock total 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 stock total in South Africa?
- Migrant stock total in South Africa was 2.63 million in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest migrant stock total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest migrant stock total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 997,703 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for migrant stock total?
- South Africa ranks 29th out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is migrant stock total 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 stock total. 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).