Net migration (UNICEF) in Syria
Syria: Net migration was 421,693 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
421,693
Change on year
down 22.8%
World rank
2nd
of 74 countries
All-time high
801,514
in 2007
All-time low
-2.08 million
in 2013
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Syria, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in Syria stood at 421,693.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 22.8% on the previous year and up 151.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Syria peaked at 801,514 in 2007 and was at its lowest, -2.08 million, in 2013.
That places Syria 2nd out of 74 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Syria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 0 | — |
| 1961 | -11,237 | — |
| 1962 | -11,641 | +3.6% |
| 1963 | -11,817 | +1.5% |
| 1964 | -12,044 | +1.9% |
| 1965 | -12,704 | +5.5% |
| 1966 | -13,434 | +5.7% |
| 1967 | -14,618 | +8.8% |
| 1968 | -16,968 | +16.1% |
| 1969 | -18,749 | +10.5% |
| 1970 | -19,594 | +4.5% |
| 1971 | -15,167 | -22.6% |
| 1972 | -17,610 | +16.1% |
| 1973 | -17,502 | -0.6% |
| 1974 | -24,242 | +38.5% |
| 1975 | -24,389 | +0.6% |
| 1976 | -26,268 | +7.7% |
| 1977 | -28,275 | +7.6% |
| 1978 | -30,567 | +8.1% |
| 1979 | -32,793 | +7.3% |
| 1980 | -33,114 | +1.0% |
| 1981 | -24,536 | -25.9% |
| 1982 | -721 | -97.1% |
| 1983 | -9,729 | +1249.4% |
| 1984 | -5,245 | -46.1% |
| 1985 | -6,221 | +18.6% |
| 1986 | -9,485 | +52.5% |
| 1987 | -8,335 | -12.1% |
| 1988 | -8,426 | +1.1% |
| 1989 | -8,379 | -0.6% |
| 1990 | -6,620 | -21.0% |
| 1991 | -10,154 | +53.4% |
| 1992 | -4,063 | -60.0% |
| 1993 | -8,828 | +117.3% |
| 1994 | -12,630 | +43.1% |
| 1995 | -28,122 | +122.7% |
| 1996 | -30,197 | +7.4% |
| 1997 | -31,571 | +4.6% |
| 1998 | -26,025 | -17.6% |
| 1999 | -31,394 | +20.6% |
| 2000 | -34,425 | +9.7% |
| 2001 | -36,383 | +5.7% |
| 2002 | -35,096 | -3.5% |
| 2003 | -33,920 | -3.4% |
| 2004 | 10,881 | -132.1% |
| 2005 | 13,382 | +23.0% |
| 2006 | 682,911 | +5003.2% |
| 2007 | 801,514 | +17.4% |
| 2008 | -402,393 | -150.2% |
| 2009 | -52,703 | -86.9% |
| 2010 | -54,359 | +3.1% |
| 2011 | -256,888 | +372.6% |
| 2012 | -999,267 | +289.0% |
| 2013 | -2.08 million | +108.3% |
| 2014 | -1.46 million | -30.0% |
| 2015 | -827,496 | -43.2% |
| 2016 | -124,063 | -85.0% |
| 2017 | -287,501 | +131.7% |
| 2018 | 514,102 | -278.8% |
| 2019 | 500,985 | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 269,050 | -46.3% |
| 2021 | 211,220 | -21.5% |
| 2022 | 735,142 | +248.0% |
| 2023 | 757,309 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | 546,494 | -27.8% |
| 2025 | 421,693 | -22.8% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 421,693 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -376.5. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Syria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | +5003.2% | 13,382 | 682,911 |
| 1983 | -1249.4% | -721 | -9,729 |
| 2011 | -372.6% | -54,359 | -256,888 |
| 2012 | -289.0% | -256,888 | -999,267 |
| 2018 | +278.8% | -287,501 | 514,102 |
| 2022 | +248.0% | 211,220 | 735,142 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -12,321 | -18,749 | 0 | 10 |
| 1970s | -23,641 | -32,793 | -15,167 | 10 |
| 1980s | -11,419 | -33,114 | -721 | 10 |
| 1990s | -18,960 | -31,571 | -4,063 | 10 |
| 2000s | 91,377 | -402,393 | 801,514 | 10 |
| 2010s | -507,347 | -2.08 million | 514,102 | 10 |
| 2020s | 490,151 | 211,220 | 757,309 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Syria
- 1 Ukraine 1.70 million compare
- 3 United Kingdom 389,911 compare
- 4 Sudan 291,469 compare
- 5 United Arab Emirates 158,634 compare
More population data for Syria
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1531 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.59 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1531 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.22 million people (2100)
- Population density 237.91 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.2792 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Syria?
- Net migration in Syria was 421,693 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 801,514 in 2007.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.08 million in 2013.
- How does Syria rank for net migration?
- Syria ranks 2nd out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Syria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 151.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Syria data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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