Net migration in Japan

Japan: Net migration was 140,579 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
140,579
Change on year
down 8.3%
World rank
10th
of 215 countries
All-time high
322,564
in 2017
All-time low
-288,550
in 1982
Years of data
66
1960–2025

Net migration in Japan, 1960–2025

-200.0k0200.0k400.0k196019922025

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

Analysis

In 2025, net migration in Japan stood at 140,579.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.3% on the previous year and down 16.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, net migration in Japan peaked at 322,564 in 2017 and was at its lowest, -288,550, in 1982.

Japan ranks 10th of 215 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

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

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s -32,683 -150,371 68,934 10
1970s -38,248 -107,778 33,731 10
1980s -120,581 -288,550 51,154 10
1990s 103,876 25,030 170,878 10
2000s 93,694 23,468 142,605 10
2010s 186,702 58,109 322,564 10
2020s 108,491 -34,996 175,003 6

Countries ranked near Japan

  1. 7 Malaysia 166,615 compare
  2. 8 United Arab Emirates 158,634 compare
  3. 9 South Africa 146,370 compare
  4. 11 Australia 137,109 compare
  5. 12 Colombia 129,139 compare
  6. 13 Saudi Arabia 119,738 compare

See the full ranking of 264 places →

More financial sector data for Japan

All data for Japan →

Frequently asked questions

What is net migration in Japan?
Net migration in Japan was 140,579 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
What is the highest net migration recorded in Japan?
The highest recorded value was 322,564 in 2017.
What is the lowest net migration recorded in Japan?
The lowest recorded value was -288,550 in 1982.
How does Japan rank for net migration?
Japan ranks 10th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
Is net migration rising or falling in Japan?
Over the last ten years it is down 16.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Japan 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.