Zimbabwe: immigration

How many people visit Zimbabwe?

1,852,866 visitors from abroad arrived in Zimbabwe in 2025, according to ZIMSTAT's fourth quarter 2025 international migration report, up from 1,746,645 in 2024. A further 3,199,304 arrivals were Zimbabwean residents returning from trips abroad.

In the fourth quarter alone, 484,413 visitors came, 3% more than a year earlier; just over 47% came on holiday and 135,134 were in transit. South Africa (79,029), Mozambique (69,120) and Zambia (28,610) were the largest sources of African visitors. The figures come from Department of Immigration records at official border posts.

Official sources: fourth quarter 2025 international migration report

How many refugees live in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe hosted 8,570 refugees and 9,495 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. 828 new asylum applications were lodged in the year, according to UNHCR's asylum statistics.

By country of origin, 7,612 of the refugees were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 6,736 of the asylum seekers from Mozambique. Asylum seekers are people whose claims had not been decided at the end of the year. The number of asylum seekers fell from 13,192 at the end of 2024.

Official sources: UNHCR population statistics · asylum statistics · By country of origin

How many Zimbabweans are refugees abroad?

6,632 refugees and 6,373 asylum seekers from Zimbabwe were living in other countries at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics.

By host country, South Africa had 1,944 refugees and 2,779 asylum seekers from Zimbabwe, Ireland 1,333 and 1,355, and Canada 1,042 and 500. UNHCR compiles the figures from host governments, so they count only people in the asylum system, not all Zimbabweans living abroad.

Official sources: UNHCR population statistics · By host country

How many foreign-born people live in Zimbabwe?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Zimbabwe was 2.6%, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 2.8% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Zimbabwe is 22nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 120th of 193.

How many people move to Zimbabwe each year?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -54,555. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -5,646, and Zimbabwe placed 45th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 172nd highest.

How many refugees does Zimbabwe host?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Zimbabwe was 8,570 in 2025. The peak was 13,850 in 2005 and the low 3,465 in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and Zimbabwe placed 29th highest of 45. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 94th highest.

How many refugees come from Zimbabwe?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Zimbabwe was 6,632, according to UNHCR. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 28th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 12,726. Worldwide: 70th of 189.

How big are remittances in Zimbabwe's economy?

8.5% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Zimbabwe for 2024, according to the World Bank. Since 2009 it has ranged from 3.4% of GDP (2017) to 13.6% of GDP (2011). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.5% of GDP, and Zimbabwe placed 7th highest of 36. Worldwide: 28th of 156.