South Africa

Most immigrants to South Africa arrive from neighboring nations in search of better economic opportunities. Over a million people currently come from Zimbabwe alone, driven by geographic proximity and a desperate need for stability, while several hundred thousand arrive from Mozambique and Lesotho. Historical colonial connections also maintain a presence, bringing tens of thousands of residents from the United Kingdom.

In the early 1990s, European nations were the primary source of immigrants due to lingering apartheid-era policies and historical ties. This dynamic shifted dramatically over the decades as severe political and economic crises in Zimbabwe pushed massive waves of people across the border. At the same time, broader regional conflicts and South Africa's relative prosperity drew increasing numbers of migrants from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

Most South African emigrants settle in wealthy, English-speaking nations that offer strong career opportunities and familiar cultural ties. The United Kingdom and Australia host nearly half a million South Africans combined, drawn by historical colonial links, shared language, and similar lifestyles. Hundreds of thousands more have built new lives in the United States, New Zealand, and Canada in pursuit of economic stability and skilled work.

In the early 1990s, overall emigration was relatively low and mostly directed toward traditional European destinations or neighboring African countries. As South Africa transitioned to democracy and later faced ongoing economic stagnation and security challenges, skilled professionals increasingly looked overseas. This sparked a massive surge in global emigration over the decades, transforming countries like New Zealand and the Netherlands into major new hubs for expatriates.