This is how many South Africans have moved to the UK, Australia, and Canada
Official statistics indicate that about 1 million South Africans live overseas, and almost half (484,000) live in three countries—the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Canada.
Tracking migration numbers is challenging due to several factors.
Firstly, government agencies often lack comprehensive and up-to-date data, making it hard to get an accurate picture of the number of people leaving the country.
Additionally, many people emigrate informally without notifying authorities, which leads to underreporting.
Migration statistics can also vary depending on the source, with different organisations using different methods to collect and interpret data.
These discrepancies make it difficult to establish a clear and consistent understanding of migration trends.
Considering this, BusinessTech looked at the latest migration statistics published by the respective country’s government authorities.
According to the United Nations’ (UN) latest International Migrant Stock report, approximately 915,000 South Africans live abroad across 30 different countries.
These countries are mostly in Africa, Europe, and North America. However, the UN’s data was last updated in 2021, meaning this number is likely even higher.
According to England’s migration data, The UK is South Africans’ second home.
According to the latest International Migration, England and Wales Census, 217,200 residents of England and Wales were born in South Africa.
The data showed that approximately 2 million residents, 57.5% of the UK’s total population increase, are due to positive net migration (the difference between those who immigrated into and emigrated out of England and Wales).
Most South Africans move to the UK due to cultural ties, language familiarity, and the presence of established communities.
Australia is the next pick for South Africans, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting that an estimated 214,790 South Africans live within its borders.
This makes the South African-born population the seventh largest migrant community in Australia, equivalent to 2.6% of Australia’s overseas-born population and 0.8% of Australia’s total population
The South African expat hotspots in Australia include St Ives (New South Wales), Baldivis (Western Australia), and Point Cook (Victoria).
While the United States of America is the third choice for South African expats, its northern sister, Canada, is still in the top six countries chosen by those who have left South Africa.
According to the Canadian government, 51,590 South Africans live in the country, and this number is expected to rise meaningfully in the coming years.
Statistics Canada highlighted that most of their South African-born population call Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta home.
| Country | South African population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 217,200 |
| Australia | 214,790 |
| Canada | 51,590 |
| Total | 483,580 |
An emerging narrative in some sectors—such as the property sector—is that South Africans are starting to return home.
Many say they are drawn back by the lower cost of living (relative to main destination countries) and other pull factors like weather and family.
However, Stats SA’s data (based on the 2011 and 2022 censuses) do not show an acceleration in the number of South Africans returning.
According to the census, around 45,860 South Africans returned from living abroad in 2011. In 2022, only 27,983 South Africans said the same.
It is worth noting that the UN data and the census data are not exactly aligned, nor do they track the exact same thing—meaning South Africa’s problems with officially tracking emigration data persist.
However, this does give a better sense of South Africans’ migration patterns: more locals are leaving than coming back.
Why they are leaving
A survey by the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) reveals that economic and personal well-being concerns are the main drivers for South Africans considering emigration.
About 23.18% cite better job opportunities as a primary reason, while 9.79% mention overall better opportunities, and 9.69% seek a higher standard of living.
Poor governance and a failing state also rank highly as factors.
Globally, young professionals are the most likely to move abroad for work, with 73% willing to do so.
However, South Africans have an even higher mobility rate of 79.5%, which rises to 84% among younger respondents. Additional incentives like favourable tax regimes, better pay, and recognised qualifications also attract South Africans.
For instance, South African healthcare professionals prefer Canada because their qualifications are recognised without needing re-certification.
Meanwhile, the UK offers easier access to Europe, and Australia attracts with its similar climate and growing South African expat communities.
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