Net migration in Zambia
Zambia: Net migration was 6,562 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Zambia, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
In 2025, net migration in Zambia stood at 6,562.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.1% on the previous year and down 59.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Zambia peaked at 49,945 in 2007 and was at its lowest, -47,739, in 1993.
Zambia ranks 47th of 218 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -3,898 | — |
| 1961 | -4,043 | +3.7% |
| 1962 | -4,428 | +9.5% |
| 1963 | -4,676 | +5.6% |
| 1964 | -4,851 | +3.7% |
| 1965 | -5,023 | +3.5% |
| 1966 | -5,129 | +2.1% |
| 1967 | -5,298 | +3.3% |
| 1968 | -5,447 | +2.8% |
| 1969 | -11,469 | +110.6% |
| 1970 | -31,370 | +173.5% |
| 1971 | -31,651 | +0.9% |
| 1972 | -31,672 | +0.1% |
| 1973 | -31,472 | -0.6% |
| 1974 | -31,178 | -0.9% |
| 1975 | -30,886 | -0.9% |
| 1976 | -30,612 | -0.9% |
| 1977 | -30,423 | -0.6% |
| 1978 | -30,284 | -0.5% |
| 1979 | -29,515 | -2.5% |
| 1980 | -24,664 | -16.4% |
| 1981 | -16,072 | -34.8% |
| 1982 | -3,676 | -77.1% |
| 1983 | -11,849 | +222.3% |
| 1984 | -18,652 | +57.4% |
| 1985 | -18,474 | -1.0% |
| 1986 | -16,610 | -10.1% |
| 1987 | -26,338 | +58.6% |
| 1988 | -31,270 | +18.7% |
| 1989 | -36,736 | +17.5% |
| 1990 | -38,619 | +5.1% |
| 1991 | -44,203 | +14.5% |
| 1992 | -43,656 | -1.2% |
| 1993 | -47,739 | +9.4% |
| 1994 | -45,504 | -4.7% |
| 1995 | -45,423 | -0.2% |
| 1996 | -38,358 | -15.6% |
| 1997 | -26,276 | -31.5% |
| 1998 | -26,796 | +2.0% |
| 1999 | -16,888 | -37.0% |
| 2000 | -4,338 | -74.3% |
| 2001 | 23,582 | -643.6% |
| 2002 | 3,206 | -86.4% |
| 2003 | 20,845 | +550.2% |
| 2004 | 7,819 | -62.5% |
| 2005 | 35,316 | +351.7% |
| 2006 | 29,517 | -16.4% |
| 2007 | 49,945 | +69.2% |
| 2008 | 39,249 | -21.4% |
| 2009 | 44,867 | +14.3% |
| 2010 | 22,761 | -49.3% |
| 2011 | 13,569 | -40.4% |
| 2012 | 8,958 | -34.0% |
| 2013 | 15,542 | +73.5% |
| 2014 | 16,574 | +6.6% |
| 2015 | 16,261 | -1.9% |
| 2016 | 25,860 | +59.0% |
| 2017 | 25,789 | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 18,431 | -28.5% |
| 2019 | 18,385 | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 8,156 | -55.6% |
| 2021 | 8,143 | -0.2% |
| 2022 | -8,566 | -205.2% |
| 2023 | 9,521 | -211.1% |
| 2024 | 7,381 | -22.5% |
| 2025 | 6,562 | -11.1% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 6,562 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is -10,230. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 6,562 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -5,646. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Zambia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | +643.6% | -4,338 | 23,582 |
| 2003 | +550.2% | 3,206 | 20,845 |
| 2005 | +351.7% | 7,819 | 35,316 |
| 1983 | -222.3% | -3,676 | -11,849 |
| 2023 | +211.1% | -8,566 | 9,521 |
| 2022 | -205.2% | 8,143 | -8,566 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -5,426 | -11,469 | -3,898 | 10 |
| 1970s | -30,906 | -31,672 | -29,515 | 10 |
| 1980s | -20,434 | -36,736 | -3,676 | 10 |
| 1990s | -37,346 | -47,739 | -16,888 | 10 |
| 2000s | 25,001 | -4,338 | 49,945 | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,213 | 8,958 | 25,860 | 10 |
| 2020s | 5,200 | -8,566 | 9,521 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More financial sector data for Zambia
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 0.0011 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 0.0008 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 0.0011 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Zambia?
- Net migration in Zambia was 6,562 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 49,945 in 2007.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was -47,739 in 1993.
- How does Zambia rank for net migration?
- Zambia ranks 47th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 59.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.
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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.