Net migration in Botswana

Botswana: Net migration was -5,665 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
-5,665
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
139th
of 215 countries
All-time high
26,015
in 1978
All-time low
-16,054
in 1970
Years of data
66
1960–2025

Net migration in Botswana, 1960–2025

-20.0k-10.0k010.0k20.0k30.0k196019922025

Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.

Analysis

Botswana recorded -5,665 for net migration in 2025.

The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 41.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, net migration in Botswana peaked at 26,015 in 1978 and was at its lowest, -16,054, in 1970.

Botswana ranks 139th of 215 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s -9,754 -15,870 -4,000 10
1970s 8,498 -16,054 26,015 10
1980s 1,203 -10,849 7,610 10
1990s 8,026 2,580 9,762 10
2000s 5,312 3,926 9,798 10
2010s -7,343 -11,770 5,151 10
2020s -6,775 -11,330 -4,083 6

Countries ranked near Botswana

  1. 136 Lesotho -5,192 compare
  2. 137 Malawi -5,628 compare
  3. 138 North Macedonia -5,645 compare
  4. 140 Eswatini -5,775 compare
  5. 141 Eritrea -6,698 compare
  6. 142 Uzbekistan -6,987 compare

See the full ranking of 264 places →

More financial sector data for Botswana

All data for Botswana →

Frequently asked questions

What is net migration in Botswana?
Net migration in Botswana was -5,665 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
What is the highest net migration recorded in Botswana?
The highest recorded value was 26,015 in 1978.
What is the lowest net migration recorded in Botswana?
The lowest recorded value was -16,054 in 1970.
How does Botswana rank for net migration?
Botswana ranks 139th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
Is net migration rising or falling in Botswana?
Over the last ten years it is up 41.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Botswana 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.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).

About this data

Indicator
Net migration
Source
World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
264 places, 17,424 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

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.