In 2023, India witnessed a negative net migration of 486 thousand people. Fluctuations in the migrant population was seen over the years from 2016 onward in the country. A negative net migration rate indicates that more people are leaving a region than are moving in.

India immigration statistics for 2015 was 5,240,960, a 3.59% decline from 2010.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>India immigration statistics for 2010 was <strong>5,436,012</strong>, a <strong>8.23% decline</strong> from 2005.</li>
<li>India immigration statistics for 2005 was <strong>5,923,642</strong>, a <strong>7.61% decline</strong> from 2000.</li>
<li>India immigration statistics for 2000 was <strong>6,411,272</strong>, a <strong>7.78% decline</strong> from 1995.</li>
</ul>International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.

The migration rate within India between 2020 and 2021 was almost ** percent. This means, between July 2020 and June 2021, about **** percent of the population in the rural areas of the country were migrants, while this was about ** percent for the population in urban areas. During the same time period, there was a much higher share of migrants among females than males in the country.

In the year 2022, *** thousand people were estimated to have migrated to Delhi. This was a decrease from 2021. Migration contributed more to Delhi's population growth than the number of births, standing at *** thousand.

India saw nearly **** million people emigrating out of the country in 2020. On the other hand, about *** million people immigrated into the country that year. Emigration from India grew significantly in the last few decades.

Census: Number of Migrants: Punjab data was reported at 13,735,616.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,189,438.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Punjab data is updated decadal, averaging 9,189,438.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,735,616.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 6,960,431.000 Person in 03-01-1991. Census: Number of Migrants: Punjab data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG001: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by States.

Census: Number of Migrants: Andhra Pradesh data was reported at 38,360,644.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 23,461,895.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Andhra Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 23,461,895.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 38,360,644.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 19,624,911.000 Person in 03-01-1991. Census: Number of Migrants: Andhra Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG001: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by States.

In financial year 2023, it is estimated that almost 93 thousand more Indians migrated to Australia than emigrated, This marked the highest net overseas migration from India within the measured period.

Census: Number of Migrants: Maharashtra data was reported at 57,376,776.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 41,715,711.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Maharashtra data is updated decadal, averaging 41,715,711.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57,376,776.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 25,462,420.000 Person in 03-01-1991. Census: Number of Migrants: Maharashtra data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG001: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by States.

This scatter chart displays fertility rate (births per woman) against net migration (people) in India. The data is about countries per year.

Census: Number of Migrants: Migration Reason: Others: Lakshadweep: Male data was reported at 2,465.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,496.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Migration Reason: Others: Lakshadweep: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 2,496.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,533.000 Person in 03-01-1991 and a record low of 2,465.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Number of Migrants: Migration Reason: Others: Lakshadweep: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG013: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by Reason: Others.

Delhi had over ** percent of the external migrant population, the highest among all states in India. Himachal Pradesh and Punjab followed it with over * percent share each.

Census: Number of Migrants: Rajasthan data was reported at 7,224,514.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 16,385,715.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Rajasthan data is updated decadal, averaging 12,666,382.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,385,715.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 7,224,514.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Number of Migrants: Rajasthan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG001: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by States.

As of May 2024, a total of *** million Indian migrants were estimated to live in the United States of America, followed by over ***** million in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). India has over ** million overseas Indians living across the world.

Census: Number of Migrants: Tamil Nadu data was reported at 31,274,107.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 15,824,383.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Tamil Nadu data is updated decadal, averaging 15,824,383.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31,274,107.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 13,430,472.000 Person in 03-01-1991. Census: Number of Migrants: Tamil Nadu data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG001: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by States.

Abstract

An all-India survey on the situation of employment and uemployment and migration particulars in India was carried out during NSS 64th round (July, 2007 to June, 2008). In this survey, a nation-wide enquiry was conducted in a moderately large sample of households to provide estimates on various characteristics pertaining to employment and unemployment and migration particulars in India and some characteristics associated with them at the national and state levels. Information on various facets of employment and unemployment and migration in India were collected through a schedule of enquiry (Schedule 10.2).

Geographic coverage

The survey covered the whole of the Indian Union except (i) Leh (Ladakh) and Kargil districts of Jammu & Kashmir (for central sample), (ii) interior villages of Nagaland situated beyond five kilometres of the bus route and (iii) villages in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which remain inaccessible throughout the year.

Analysis unit

Household

Universe

All households of the Indian Union except (i) Leh (Ladakh) and Kargil districts of Jammu & Kashmir (for central sample), (ii) interior villages of Nagaland situated beyond five kilometres of the bus route and (iii) villages in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which remain inaccessible throughout the year.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

A stratified multi-stage design was adopted for the 64th round survey. The first stage units (FSU) were the 2001 census villages (Panchayat wards in case of Kerala) in the rural sector and Urban Frame Survey (UFS) blocks in the urban sector. However, for the newly declared towns and out growths (OGs) in Census 2001 for which UFS were not done, each individual town/ OG were considered as an FSU. The ultimate stage units (USU) were the households in both the sectors. In case of large FSUs, i.e. villages/ towns/ blocks requiring hamlet-group (hg)/ sub-block (sb) formation, one intermediate stage was the selection of two hgs/ sbs from each FSU. Details of the sample design and estimation procedure is given as a document in external resource .

Sampling deviation

There was no deviation from the original sample deviation.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Summary description of the schedule : The schedule 10 on employment-unemployment for NSS60th round consisted of 10 blocks as given below.

Block 0: Descriptive identification of sample household Block 1: Identification of sample household Block 2: Particulars of field operations Block 3 - Household Characteristics. Block 3.1 :particulars of out-migrants who migrated out any time in the past Block 4: demographic and usual activity particulars of household members Block 5: Time disposition of members during the week ended on ........... Block 6: Migration particulars of household members Block 7: Household consumer expenditure Block 8: Remarks by investigator Block 9: Comments by superintendent / senior superintendent Block 10: Comments by other supervisory officer(s)

Response rate

At the all-India level, 12,688 FSUs (7,984 villages and 4,704 urban blocks) was allocated for survey. Out of these 12,688 FSUs allotted for survey, 12,589 FSUs could be surveyed – 7,921 in rural and 4,668 in urban. A sample of 10 households was planned for survey from each selected village and urban block.The survey covered a sample of 1,25,578 households (79,091 in rural areas and 46,487 in urban areas) and a sample of 5,72,254 persons (3,74,294 in rural areas and 1,97,960 in urban areas).

Census: Number of Migrants: Migration Reason: Others: Sikkim data was reported at 61,103.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 49,305.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Migration Reason: Others: Sikkim data is updated decadal, averaging 61,093.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 61,103.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 49,305.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Number of Migrants: Migration Reason: Others: Sikkim data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAG013: Census of India: Migration: Number of Migrants: by Reason: Others.

In 2023, almost 400 thousand Indians got emigration clearances (EC) via the e-Migrate portal. e-Migrate is an e-governance platform that enables the emigration process in India. 2014 had the highest number of e-clearances approved via e-Migrate, during the recorded period.

Remittance Market Outlook

The global remittance market size was valued at USD 701.93 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.08 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2024 to 2032. The growth of this market is driven by increasing migration trends, technological advancements, and rising demand for convenient and cost-effective money transfer services. The expansion of digital platforms and mobile wallets has significantly contributed to the ease and speed of cross-border money transfers, providing a robust foundation for market growth.

A significant growth factor contributing to the expansion of the remittance market is the increasing global migration rates. Economic disparities and the pursuit of better employment opportunities have led to a rise in the number of people moving to different countries. These migrants often send money back to their home countries to support their families, driving the demand for remittance services. Additionally, humanitarian reasons and international aid are playing essential roles in boosting remittance flows to regions in need.

Technological advancements have been another critical driver of growth in the remittance market. The advent of digital payment platforms and fintech innovations has revolutionized the way money is transferred across borders. These technological solutions offer faster, cheaper, and more secure transaction methods compared to traditional banking systems. Fintech companies are leveraging blockchain technology to enhance transparency and reduce transfer time, further propelling market growth. The increased penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity also aids in the widespread adoption of digital remittance services.

The rising demand for convenient and cost-effective money transfer services has prompted both traditional and non-traditional financial institutions to enhance their offerings. Money Transfer Operators (MTOs), banks, and online platforms are continuously improving their services to cater to the evolving needs of customers. Competitive pricing, reduced transfer fees, and additional services such as currency exchange and bill payments are attracting more users to formal remittance channels. This trend is particularly evident in developing economies where access to financial services was previously limited.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific holds the largest share in the global remittance market, driven by high migration rates and substantial volumes of inward remittances, particularly in countries like India, China, and the Philippines. North America and Europe also represent significant markets due to their large immigrant populations and established financial infrastructures. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging regions with growing remittance flows, fueled by economic growth and increasing outbound migration.

Type Analysis

The remittance market can be segmented into inward remittance and outward remittance. Inward remittance refers to money sent by expatriates to their home country, while outward remittance involves funds sent from a home country to other countries. Inward remittances constitute a major portion of the market due to the high number of migrant workers sending money back to support their families. This segment is particularly crucial for developing economies where remittances play a significant role in boosting household incomes and economic growth.

Outward remittance, although smaller in comparison to inward remittance, is also growing steadily. This segment is driven by factors such as international tuition fees, payments for overseas purchases, and investments in foreign properties. The increasing number of people traveling abroad for education and business purposes has led to a rise in outward remittance transactions. Additionally, with globalization and international trade on the rise, businesses are also contributing to outward remittance flows.

The inward remittance segment is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, supported by the growing migrant population and the necessity to support families back home. Government policies in various countries that encourage the inflow of remittances, such as reduced transaction fees and favorable exchange rates, are also bolstering this segment. Furthermore, international organizations and financial institutions are working towards making inward remittance processes more efficient, secure, and cost-effective.

The outward remittance segment, while s

The number of immigrants from Bangladesh in 2020 stood at over *********** making it the highest international migrant stock in India. However, the number has declined significantly since 1990. Pakistani migrants constituted the second-highest international migrant stock at over *********** people. The total number of international migrants represented *** percent of the total population of India.