MigrantoImmigrants in Zimbabwe
308.7K foreign-born residents — the #98 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 88% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Mozambique | 126753 |
| Malawi | 111872 |
| Zambia | 32680 |
| South Africa | 20346 |
| United Kingdom | 13101 |
| Botswana | 3985 |
By region of origin
Africa is the leading region of origin at 96%
295.6K
13.1K
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Zimbabwe.
Immigration sources have diversified since 1990
The top source country's share fell from 80% to 41%, indicating a broader spread of origins.
Mozambique is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
Mozambique accounts for 41% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 36%.
Zimbabwe is a primary destination for emigrants from Zambia
Zimbabwe attracts 27% of all emigrants from Zambia, making it the leading destination for those leaving the country.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 604946 |
| 1995 | 393451 |
| 2000 | 361947 |
| 2005 | 319910 |
| 2010 | 286642 |
| 2015 | 288208 |
| 2020 | 299407 |
| 2024 | 308737 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Mozambique | Malawi | Zambia | South Africa | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 482855 | 69618 | 18966 | 11426 | 19136 |
| 1995 | 266322 | 67945 | 22815 | 15313 | 18132 |
| 2000 | 197838 | 92989 | 26337 | 17024 | 23747 |
| 2005 | 145402 | 102211 | 29759 | 19010 | 19394 |
| 2010 | 117799 | 103681 | 30373 | 18910 | 12174 |
| 2015 | 118442 | 104247 | 30538 | 19013 | 12243 |
| 2020 | 122923 | 108491 | 31692 | 19731 | 12705 |
| 2024 | 126753 | 111872 | 32680 | 20346 | 13101 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Zimbabwe as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Zimbabwe
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Zimbabwe?
Around 308.7K foreign-born residents live in Zimbabwe, making it the #98-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Zimbabwe come from?
Most immigrants in Zimbabwe come from Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia — these three countries account for about 88% of all foreign-born residents.
What share of the population of Zimbabwe are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 2% of the population of Zimbabwe — that's 308.7K out of a total population of 16.6M.
How has immigration to Zimbabwe changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Zimbabwe has grown from 288.2K to 308.7K people, a growth of about 7%.
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