Net migration (World Population) in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Net migration (World Population) was -338,771 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Africa Western and Central, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
Africa Western and Central recorded -338,771 for net migration in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3,021.2% on the previous year and down 14.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Africa Western and Central peaked at 314,264 in 2023 and was at its lowest, -657,714, in 1983.
That places Africa Western and Central 23rd out of 47 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration (World Population) in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -759 | — |
| 1961 | -36,991 | +4773.6% |
| 1962 | -31,675 | -14.4% |
| 1963 | -32,310 | +2.0% |
| 1964 | -48,455 | +50.0% |
| 1965 | -31,079 | -35.9% |
| 1966 | -49,176 | +58.2% |
| 1967 | -26,682 | -45.7% |
| 1968 | -38,874 | +45.7% |
| 1969 | 48,124 | -223.8% |
| 1970 | 6,280 | -87.0% |
| 1971 | -86,862 | -1483.2% |
| 1972 | -56,095 | -35.4% |
| 1973 | -51,583 | -8.0% |
| 1974 | -1,121 | -97.8% |
| 1975 | -2,052 | +83.1% |
| 1976 | -141,841 | +6812.3% |
| 1977 | -65,322 | -53.9% |
| 1978 | -56,459 | -13.6% |
| 1979 | -40,641 | -28.0% |
| 1980 | -94,343 | +132.1% |
| 1981 | -18,826 | -80.0% |
| 1982 | 43,602 | -331.6% |
| 1983 | -657,714 | -1608.4% |
| 1984 | -281,239 | -57.2% |
| 1985 | -180,900 | -35.7% |
| 1986 | -143,659 | -20.6% |
| 1987 | -125,058 | -12.9% |
| 1988 | -68,552 | -45.2% |
| 1989 | -28,470 | -58.5% |
| 1990 | -482,218 | +1593.8% |
| 1991 | -43,882 | -90.9% |
| 1992 | 39,350 | -189.7% |
| 1993 | -292,287 | -842.8% |
| 1994 | -74,203 | -74.6% |
| 1995 | 112,264 | -251.3% |
| 1996 | -71,428 | -163.6% |
| 1997 | 133,194 | -286.5% |
| 1998 | 128,891 | -3.2% |
| 1999 | -118,430 | -191.9% |
| 2000 | 21,109 | -117.8% |
| 2001 | -2,037 | -109.6% |
| 2002 | 4,206 | -306.5% |
| 2003 | -74,302 | -1866.6% |
| 2004 | -26,768 | -64.0% |
| 2005 | -127,026 | +374.5% |
| 2006 | -212,215 | +67.1% |
| 2007 | -196,973 | -7.2% |
| 2008 | -239,683 | +21.7% |
| 2009 | -216,974 | -9.5% |
| 2010 | -292,290 | +34.7% |
| 2011 | -240,569 | -17.7% |
| 2012 | -534,476 | +122.2% |
| 2013 | -407,361 | -23.8% |
| 2014 | -223,029 | -45.3% |
| 2015 | -297,137 | +33.2% |
| 2016 | -7,032 | -97.6% |
| 2017 | -140,472 | +1897.6% |
| 2018 | -219,801 | +56.5% |
| 2019 | -286,139 | +30.2% |
| 2020 | -70,880 | -75.2% |
| 2021 | -205,590 | +190.1% |
| 2022 | -145,638 | -29.2% |
| 2023 | 314,264 | -315.8% |
| 2024 | -10,854 | -103.5% |
| 2025 | -338,771 | +3021.2% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration (World Population) in Africa Western and Central 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | -6812.3% | -2,052 | -141,841 |
| 1961 | -4773.6% | -759 | -36,991 |
| 2025 | -3021.2% | -10,854 | -338,771 |
| 2017 | -1897.6% | -7,032 | -140,472 |
| 2003 | -1866.6% | 4,206 | -74,302 |
| 1983 | -1608.4% | 43,602 | -657,714 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -24,788 | -49,176 | 48,124 | 10 |
| 1970s | -49,570 | -141,841 | 6,280 | 10 |
| 1980s | -155,516 | -657,714 | 43,602 | 10 |
| 1990s | -66,875 | -482,218 | 133,194 | 10 |
| 2000s | -107,066 | -239,683 | 21,109 | 10 |
| 2010s | -264,831 | -534,476 | -7,032 | 10 |
| 2020s | -76,245 | -338,771 | 314,264 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
More financial sector data for Africa Western and Central
- Domestic credit to private sector 15.2% (2023)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 15.1% (2023)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 15.2% (2023)
- Broad money 33.1% (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 9.7% (2023)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, annual growth rate 13.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 6.48 (2025)
- Net migration, annual growth rate -103.45 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Africa Western and Central?
- Net migration in Africa Western and Central was -338,771 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 314,264 in 2023.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was -657,714 in 1983.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for net migration?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 23rd out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.