Net migration in Japan
Japan: Net migration was 140,579 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Japan, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in Japan stood at 140,579.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.3% on the previous year and down 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Japan peaked at 322,564 in 2017 and was at its lowest, -288,550, in 1982.
Japan ranks 10th of 218 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Japan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -150,371 | — |
| 1961 | -58,882 | -60.8% |
| 1962 | -57,075 | -3.1% |
| 1963 | -100,742 | +76.5% |
| 1964 | -100,696 | -0.0% |
| 1965 | -50,667 | -49.7% |
| 1966 | 68,934 | -236.1% |
| 1967 | 29,632 | -57.0% |
| 1968 | 43,593 | +47.1% |
| 1969 | 49,447 | +13.4% |
| 1970 | 33,731 | -31.8% |
| 1971 | -107,778 | -419.5% |
| 1972 | -73,980 | -31.4% |
| 1973 | -34,674 | -53.1% |
| 1974 | -10,145 | -70.7% |
| 1975 | 107 | -101.1% |
| 1976 | -34,976 | -32787.9% |
| 1977 | -49,082 | +40.3% |
| 1978 | -47,996 | -2.2% |
| 1979 | -57,692 | +20.2% |
| 1980 | -92,314 | +60.0% |
| 1981 | -278,525 | +201.7% |
| 1982 | -288,550 | +3.6% |
| 1983 | -269,755 | -6.5% |
| 1984 | -273,686 | +1.5% |
| 1985 | -141,323 | -48.4% |
| 1986 | 27,987 | -119.8% |
| 1987 | 28,001 | +0.1% |
| 1988 | 51,154 | +82.7% |
| 1989 | 31,202 | -39.0% |
| 1990 | 124,582 | +299.3% |
| 1991 | 161,331 | +29.5% |
| 1992 | 170,878 | +5.9% |
| 1993 | 168,836 | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 154,214 | -8.7% |
| 1995 | 87,714 | -43.1% |
| 1996 | 25,030 | -71.5% |
| 1997 | 43,366 | +73.3% |
| 1998 | 45,912 | +5.9% |
| 1999 | 56,901 | +23.9% |
| 2000 | 23,468 | -58.8% |
| 2001 | 59,563 | +153.8% |
| 2002 | 60,864 | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 74,875 | +23.0% |
| 2004 | 69,014 | -7.8% |
| 2005 | 113,017 | +63.8% |
| 2006 | 130,065 | +15.1% |
| 2007 | 138,024 | +6.1% |
| 2008 | 142,605 | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 125,450 | -12.0% |
| 2010 | 131,860 | +5.1% |
| 2011 | 97,720 | -25.9% |
| 2012 | 67,904 | -30.5% |
| 2013 | 66,449 | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 58,109 | -12.6% |
| 2015 | 168,896 | +190.7% |
| 2016 | 314,732 | +86.3% |
| 2017 | 322,564 | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 320,601 | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 318,190 | -0.8% |
| 2020 | 42,001 | -86.8% |
| 2021 | -34,996 | -183.3% |
| 2022 | 175,003 | -600.1% |
| 2023 | 175,003 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 153,357 | -12.4% |
| 2025 | 140,579 | -8.3% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 140,579 is above the median for high income countries, which is 843, 166.8× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Japan's 140,579 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is -462. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Japan 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 | -32787.9% | 107 | -34,976 |
| 2022 | +600.1% | -34,996 | 175,003 |
| 1971 | -419.5% | 33,731 | -107,778 |
| 1990 | +299.3% | 31,202 | 124,582 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -32,683 | -150,371 | 68,934 | 10 |
| 1970s | -38,248 | -107,778 | 33,731 | 10 |
| 1980s | -120,581 | -288,550 | 51,154 | 10 |
| 1990s | 103,876 | 25,030 | 170,878 | 10 |
| 2000s | 93,694 | 23,468 | 142,605 | 10 |
| 2010s | 186,702 | 58,109 | 322,564 | 10 |
| 2020s | 108,491 | -34,996 | 175,003 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 7 Malaysia 166,615 compare
- 8 United Arab Emirates 158,634 compare
- 9 South Africa 146,370 compare
- 11 Australia 137,109 compare
- 12 Colombia 129,139 compare
- 13 Saudi Arabia 119,738 compare
More financial sector data for Japan
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 10.42 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0025 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 91.29 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 5.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0019 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 66.66 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 10.42 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0025 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 91.29 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 5.15 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Japan?
- Net migration in Japan was 140,579 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 322,564 in 2017.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was -288,550 in 1982.
- How does Japan rank for net migration?
- Japan ranks 10th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan 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
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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.