International migrant stock, total in South Africa
South Africa: International migrant stock, total was 2.63 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
International migrant stock, total in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: International Migrant Stock, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2.63 million for international migrant stock, total in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, international migrant stock, total in South Africa peaked at 3.16 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 997,703, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 29th of 214 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
International 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% |
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 financial sector data for South Africa
- Net domestic credit (current LCU), per capita 95,301 current LCU per person (2025)
- Net domestic credit (current LCU), per unit of GDP 14.44 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Net domestic credit (current LCU), annual growth rate 11.21 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gold reserves at 35 SDRs per ounce 141.22 million SDR (2025)
- Gold reserves at market value 12.87 billion SDR (2025)
- Reserves excluding gold, foreign exchange 37.46 billion SDR (2025)
- Reserves excluding gold 42.64 billion SDR (2025)
- Total reserves (gold at market value) 55.51 billion SDR (2025)
- Total reserves (gold at national valuation) 55.42 billion SDR (2025)
- Total reserves (gold at national valuation) (SDR), per capita 855.88 SDR per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is international migrant stock, total in South Africa?
- International migrant stock, total in South Africa was 2.63 million in 2024, according to International Migrant Stock, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest international migrant stock, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest international migrant stock, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 997,703 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for international migrant stock, total?
- South Africa ranks 29th out of 214 countries with data for 2024.
- Is international 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 International Migrant Stock, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of International migrant stock, total. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
International migrant stock, total is the number of people at mid-year born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees.