South Africans are flooding to these countries

Over 1 million South Africans have emigrated to other countries, with around 107,000 leaving for other pastures in the last four years alone.

While the United Kingdom is the top destination for South African expats, it’s actually the United States of America that has seen the biggest flood in recent years.

This is according to the latest migrant stock data from the United Nations, one of the only reliable sources of South African expat information available.

South Africa does not officially track emigration data, with most insights about migration patterns coming from external sources.

For years, emigration numbers have had to be determined through better third-party sources, like population counts in popular destination countries, or anecdotal figures from companies that assist expats.

Some official local information can be gleaned through Stats SA’s population estimates and tax residency data from SARS, but the state organ does not give an official number on how many South Africans have left.

The United Nations published updated data on what it calls ‘migrant stock’ every four to five years, which gives the most accurate picture of global migrants—where they come from, and where they’re going to.

In the UN’s latest update, reflecting numbers at mid-2024, the world body indicated that 1,005,800 South Africans are living abroad.

Between 2020 and 2024, 107,597 South Africans emigrated from the country, feeding into popular destinations for expats.

The United States was the biggest receiver of South Africans, with 31,962 expats making the jump to the US.

This was followed by New Zealand, which added 19,345 South African migrants over the period. Australia added 12,453 South Africans to its stock, while the UK added 12,745 and the Netherlands saw 10,693 make the jump.

Top destination countries for South Africans between 2020 and 2024

The move to these destinations should come as no surprise as these countries have large South African populations already living there.

At mid-2024, the UK was home to the biggest group of South African expats, where 245,446 former locals now make their home.

Austrialia has the second-largest South African population with 213,447 people, followed by the USA with 161,507, and New Zealand with 101,970.

Countries with the biggest South African population, 2024

South Africans are loving Europe

A notable point in the UN’s data is the remarkable popularity of the Netherlands.

Not only is the country the sixth-most popular destination for South Africans overall, but the flood of over 10,000 expats to the country over the past four years is also one of the biggest increases.

The surge in expats moving to the Netherlands represents a 52.6% growth in the South Africa population residing there.

This is only lower than Malta (+73.8%) and Panama (+52.7%), which are both off extremely low bases.

Malta, in particular, has ramped up its advertising for residency by investment programmes over the last few years, looking to draw in internationally mobile high-net-worth individuals.

Around 400 South Africans took up the offer.

Another rising destination is Ireland, which ranks ninth overall, but also experienced a 44.2% jump in its South African population between 2020 and 2024.

Countries like Ireland and the Netherlands have been courting highly skilled expats to meet local shortages. Both countries have actively recruited in South Africa, which clearly paid off.

Biggest SA population increases between 2020 and 2024

Top growing destinations for South African expats

Malta +74%

Panama +53%

Netherlands +53%

Iceland +51%

Ireland +44%