Net migration in Malawi

Malawi: Net migration was -5,628 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
-5,628
Change on year
down 273.5%
World rank
137th
of 215 countries
All-time high
271,693
in 1987
All-time low
-505,365
in 1994
Years of data
66
1960–2025

Net migration in Malawi, 1960–2025

-600.0k-400.0k-200.0k0200.0k196019922025

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

Analysis

In 2025, net migration in Malawi stood at -5,628.

The figure is down 273.5% on the previous year and up 13.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, net migration in Malawi peaked at 271,693 in 1987 and was at its lowest, -505,365, in 1994.

That places Malawi 137th out of 215 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 -319 -2,266 0 10
1970s 11,827 -2,147 46,388 10
1980s 110,294 52,294 271,693 10
1990s -93,209 -505,365 71,111 10
2000s -25,244 -32,221 -8,590 10
2010s -6,540 -13,561 3,505 10
2020s -3,916 -5,811 -1,507 6

Countries ranked near Malawi

  1. 134 Mauritania -5,044 compare
  2. 135 Guyana -5,092 compare
  3. 136 Lesotho -5,192 compare
  4. 138 North Macedonia -5,645 compare
  5. 139 Botswana -5,665 compare
  6. 140 Eswatini -5,775 compare

See the full ranking of 264 places →

More financial sector data for Malawi

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is net migration in Malawi?
Net migration in Malawi was -5,628 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
What is the highest net migration recorded in Malawi?
The highest recorded value was 271,693 in 1987.
What is the lowest net migration recorded in Malawi?
The lowest recorded value was -505,365 in 1994.
How does Malawi rank for net migration?
Malawi ranks 137th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
Is net migration rising or falling in Malawi?
Over the last ten years it is up 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malawi 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.