Namibia Net Migration
Net migration SM.POP.NETM
Namibia's net migration was 1,866 in 2025, ranked 160th globally. This represents a 55.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Namibia's net migration stood at 1,866 in 2025, a decline of +2,345 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -8,819 by 2026. Namibia ranked 160th globally.
Namibia’s net migration has swung dramatically over the 66‑year series, moving from a trough of –22,827.00 in 1978 to a peak of 75,072.00 in 1989, before settling at a modest 1,866.00 in 2025, ranking 160th globally. The sharp inflow in the late 1980s coincided with the country’s transition toward independence, attracting returnees and foreign workers, while the earlier outflow reflected the economic constraints of the apartheid era. Recent figures place Namibia’s net migration close to that of the Kyrgyz Republic (1,815.00) and the Solomon Islands (1,631.00), suggesting a comparable scale of migration flows among small, developing economies. Although the current net inflow is positive, it remains far below the historic high, indicating that the post‑independence surge has not been sustained. Continued diversification of the labour market and improvements in living standards could reverse the modest trend, potentially generating higher net inflows in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Net Migration | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | -24,203 | - | - |
| 2027* trend | -16,511 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -8,819 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1,866 | −2,345 | #160 |
| 2024 | 4,211 | −7,464 | #163 |
| 2023 | 11,675 | −10,537 | #169 |
| 2022 | 22,212 | −9,115 | #162 |
| 2021 | 31,327 | +4,271 | #187 |
| 2020 | 27,056 | +7,380 | #178 |
| 2019 | 19,676 | +1,756 | #175 |
| 2018 | 17,920 | +1,840 | #165 |
| 2017 | 16,080 | +2,078 | #166 |
| 2016 | 14,002 | +1,247 | #163 |
| 2015 | 12,755 | +1,621 | #171 |
| 2014 | 11,134 | +386 | #164 |
| 2013 | 10,748 | −209 | #162 |
| 2012 | 10,957 | +15,024 | #166 |
| 2011 | -4,067 | +4,451 | #80 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Namibia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2009. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw net migration improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibia's net migration was 1,866 in 2025. Ranked 160th globally. This represents a 55.7% decrease from the previous year.
Namibia's net migration peaked at 75,072 in 1989.
The lowest net migration in Namibia was -22,827 in 1978.
Namibia ranks 160th globally in net migration as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SM.POP.NETM. Data sourced from World Bank.
Namibia's net migration is projected to reach -8,819 by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The net migration of Namibia in 2025 was 1,866. This ranks 160th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_namibia_net-migration,
title = {Namibia Net Migration},
url = {https://historysaid.com/namibia/net-migration/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}