Net migration (World Population) in South Asia
South Asia: Net migration (World Population) was -1.30 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in South Asia, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
South Asia recorded -1.30 million for net migration in 2025.
The figure is up 15.7% on the previous year and up 28.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in South Asia peaked at 302,477 in 1961 and was at its lowest, -2.53 million, in 2008.
That places South Asia 39th out of 47 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration (World Population) in South Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 136,151 | — |
| 1961 | 302,477 | +122.2% |
| 1962 | -60,123 | -119.9% |
| 1963 | 30,405 | -150.6% |
| 1964 | -128,222 | -521.7% |
| 1965 | -205,473 | +60.2% |
| 1966 | -569,406 | +177.1% |
| 1967 | -50,334 | -91.2% |
| 1968 | -1.01 million | +1903.5% |
| 1969 | -984,520 | -2.4% |
| 1970 | 148,641 | -115.1% |
| 1971 | -776,469 | -622.4% |
| 1972 | -378,058 | -51.3% |
| 1973 | -510,965 | +35.2% |
| 1974 | 34,606 | -106.8% |
| 1975 | 2,518 | -92.7% |
| 1976 | -202,764 | -8152.6% |
| 1977 | 91,147 | -145.0% |
| 1978 | -745,024 | -917.4% |
| 1979 | 210,680 | -128.3% |
| 1980 | -362,057 | -271.9% |
| 1981 | -245,238 | -32.3% |
| 1982 | -334,624 | +36.4% |
| 1983 | -289,984 | -13.3% |
| 1984 | -522,277 | +80.1% |
| 1985 | -487,655 | -6.6% |
| 1986 | -653,603 | +34.0% |
| 1987 | -720,951 | +10.3% |
| 1988 | -673,023 | -6.6% |
| 1989 | -482,360 | -28.3% |
| 1990 | -476,238 | -1.3% |
| 1991 | -382,654 | -19.7% |
| 1992 | -105,526 | -72.4% |
| 1993 | -281,412 | +166.7% |
| 1994 | -620,068 | +120.3% |
| 1995 | -279,220 | -55.0% |
| 1996 | -247,879 | -11.2% |
| 1997 | -237,434 | -4.2% |
| 1998 | -245,299 | +3.3% |
| 1999 | -361,848 | +47.5% |
| 2000 | -675,441 | +86.7% |
| 2001 | -933,352 | +38.2% |
| 2002 | -1.81 million | +93.6% |
| 2003 | -1.77 million | -1.8% |
| 2004 | -1.45 million | -18.0% |
| 2005 | -2.29 million | +57.7% |
| 2006 | -1.78 million | -22.5% |
| 2007 | -2.53 million | +42.1% |
| 2008 | -2.53 million | +0.2% |
| 2009 | -1.81 million | -28.7% |
| 2010 | -1.53 million | -15.4% |
| 2011 | -1.53 million | +0.1% |
| 2012 | -1.44 million | -6.1% |
| 2013 | -1.42 million | -1.2% |
| 2014 | -1.45 million | +2.4% |
| 2015 | -1.81 million | +24.3% |
| 2016 | -1.19 million | -34.2% |
| 2017 | -1.67 million | +40.7% |
| 2018 | -1.93 million | +15.7% |
| 2019 | -1.83 million | -5.2% |
| 2020 | -934,135 | -49.0% |
| 2021 | -1.23 million | +32.0% |
| 2022 | -2.31 million | +87.5% |
| 2023 | -1.97 million | -14.8% |
| 2024 | -1.54 million | -22.0% |
| 2025 | -1.30 million | -15.7% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration (World Population) in South Asia 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 | -8152.6% | 2,518 | -202,764 |
| 1968 | -1903.5% | -50,334 | -1.01 million |
| 1978 | -917.4% | 91,147 | -745,024 |
| 1971 | -622.4% | 148,641 | -776,469 |
| 1964 | -521.7% | 30,405 | -128,222 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -253,750 | -1.01 million | 302,477 | 10 |
| 1970s | -212,569 | -776,469 | 210,680 | 10 |
| 1980s | -477,177 | -720,951 | -245,238 | 10 |
| 1990s | -323,758 | -620,068 | -105,526 | 10 |
| 2000s | -1.76 million | -2.53 million | -675,441 | 10 |
| 2010s | -1.58 million | -1.93 million | -1.19 million | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.55 million | -2.31 million | -934,135 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More financial sector data for South Asia
- Total reserves in months of imports, annual growth rate 3.49 % 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, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Net migration, annual growth rate 15.65 % change on previous year (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector 43.5% (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 19.7% (2025)
- Broad money 79.6% (2021)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 43.5% (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 7.91 (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 43.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in South Asia?
- Net migration in South Asia was -1.30 million in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 302,477 in 1961.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.53 million in 2008.
- How does South Asia rank for net migration?
- South Asia ranks 39th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia 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.