MigrantoImmigrants in Thailand
2.9M foreign-born residents — the #23 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 82% of all immigrants
↑↓ — change vs 2020
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Myanmar | 1708695 |
| Cambodia | 375635 |
| Laos | 285819 |
| United Kingdom | 116582 |
| Japan | 104515 |
| China | 85764 |
| India | 56847 |
| USA | 52400 |
| Germany | 31844 |
| France | 30148 |
| Philippines | 23402 |
| Vietnam | 17986 |
| South Korea | 16518 |
By region of origin
Asia is the leading region of origin at 92%
2.7M
178.6K
52.4K
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Thailand.
Myanmar is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
Myanmar accounts for 59% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 13%.
Thailand is a primary destination for emigrants from Cambodia
Thailand attracts 48% of all emigrants from Cambodia, making it the leading destination for those leaving the country.
Immigration sources have diversified since 1990
The top source country's share fell from 91% to 59%, indicating a broader spread of origins.
Immigration is a key driver of population growth
16% of the population growth of Thailand since 1990 came from new immigrants, reflecting immigration's central demographic role.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 275137 |
| 1995 | 257195 |
| 2000 | 389114 |
| 2005 | 1308284 |
| 2010 | 2227453 |
| 2015 | 2489778 |
| 2020 | 2705663 |
| 2024 | 2906155 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Myanmar | Cambodia | Laos | United Kingdom | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1106 | 0 | 163 | 5236 | 2419 |
| 1995 | 1104 | 0 | 162 | 5287 | 4772 |
| 2000 | 136674 | 24956 | 33729 | 5180 | 11657 |
| 2005 | 696293 | 149042 | 125074 | 44226 | 45200 |
| 2010 | 1255912 | 273128 | 216419 | 83272 | 78742 |
| 2015 | 1429751 | 312427 | 243185 | 96015 | 88674 |
| 2020 | 1576317 | 345733 | 265386 | 106898 | 96936 |
| 2024 | 1708695 | 375635 | 285819 | 116582 | 104515 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Thailand as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Thailand
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Thailand?
Around 2.9M foreign-born residents live in Thailand, making it the #23-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Thailand come from?
Most immigrants in Thailand come from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos — these three countries account for about 82% of all foreign-born residents.
What share of the population of Thailand are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 4% of the population of Thailand — that's 2.9M out of a total population of 71.7M.
How has immigration to Thailand changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Thailand has grown from 2.5M to 2.9M people, a growth of about 17%.
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