According to the latest report on 'Migration Along the East and Southern Africa Route,' consulted by Lusa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded a 16% drop in migration flows from Mozambique to South Africa in 2025.
Flow Monitoring Data
In 2025, at least 33,700 movements from Mozambique to South Africa were monitored, compared to the 40,000 flows observed in 2024. The document indicates that more than half of these displacements were carried out by men (56%), and 3% corresponded to children.
Origin and Distribution of Migrants
The UN agency details that the migration flows registered in Mozambique heading to South Africa were divided between national citizens (46%) and citizens of Malawi (47%). Furthermore, the IOM identified small movements of migrants originating from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Ethiopia, who were transiting through Mozambique to South Africa.
Migration Motivations
The IOM clarifies that the main drivers of migration were short-term local displacements, which included temporary trips for personal or commercial reasons, accounting for 86% of cases. Additionally, three-quarters (73%) of travelers moved for economic reasons, encompassing job seeking, work, poverty, debt, or lack of livelihood opportunities. About 40% of flows had family motivation, while only 1% was attributed to natural disasters.
Inflows into Mozambique
Another relevant piece of data is that Mozambique registered at least 24,300 migratory inflows in 2025, with the majority composed of men (68%). These flows primarily came from Malawi (46%) and South Africa itself (42%), being linked mainly to temporary relocations, family reunification, and seasonal migration.
Composition of International Flows
The report indicates that 54% of the tracked flows destined for the country were Mozambican citizens, followed by 28% from Malawi and 16% from South Africa. The percentages of Zambian and Zimbabwean citizens were significantly lower, both at only 1%.
Challenges and Institutional Responses
The IOM highlights that a significant challenge in the migratory route to Mozambique is the deportation of undocumented migrants, especially young adults returning from South Africa, which increases exposure to protection risks upon arrival. Continuous deportations at the South Africa-Mozambique border resulted in the return of migrants arriving at Ressano Garcia without means to continue their journey, generating retention cases that required basic assistance, such as shelter and food.
Cooperation Actions
In response to this situation, the UN agency promoted, in partnership with UNICEF and the Government of Mozambique, the family reunion of 163 unaccompanied Mozambican children who were in Zimbabwe.
Recent Migration Statistics
On June 19, the National Migration Service (Senami) reported that migration movement in Mozambique had increased by 18% in the first five months of the year, reaching over 2.4 million travelers, and the number of repatriated individuals grew by 53.4%, totaling 698. The Mozambican Government interviewed more than 144,000 foreign citizens in the first five months of the year, carrying out the deportation of at least 698 people, an increase of 53.4% compared to the 455 deported in the same period last year.
