Nations With the Highest Emigrant Population in 2025
Migration is more than a demographic shift; it is a powerful force shaping economies, businesses, and consumer behavior globally. According to the UN DESA International Migrant Stock 2024, by 2025, the number of people living outside their birth country is estimated to reach 304 million, representing 3.7% of the global population. Emigrants are not only changing labour markets and population dynamics but also fueling the financial sector through remittances, and cross-border consumption.
Factors Fueling Emigration
Unstable Economy
Economic factors are a major driver of emigration, as individuals leave their home countries in search of better-paying jobs and improved living standards. In New Zealand, 71,800 citizens left the country by June 2025, the highest emigration rate in 13 years. This mass exodus is driven by a struggling economy due to frequent policy changes, with 38% of those departing being under 30 years old.
High unemployment, low wages, and economic inequality further push people to migrate, while inflation, currency instability, and general economic uncertainty make staying less viable. In Turkey, the economy experienced a recession in the third quarter of 2024, with inflation rates declining from a peak of 75.5% in May 2024 to 47.1% by November.
Despite this decrease, economic uncertainty and policy challenges have prompted many citizens to consider emigration as a means to secure better financial stability. These movements have direct market implications, as remittance flows from emigrants boost demand for financial services, real estate, and consumer goods in their home countries.
Political Turmoil
Political instability, conflict, and threats to personal safety are major drivers of emigration. Citizens often leave countries plagued by corruption, weak institutions, or authoritarian regimes, while wars, civil unrest, and regional conflicts such as those in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine force many to seek refuge abroad.
In Palestine, the prolonged Israel-Hamas war has led to widespread displacement and migration. Approximately 90% of Gaza's population have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in other countries. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, political instability has led to increased emigration.
A record-high 43% of Palestinians in these areas are struggling to afford food in 2025, a significant rise from 33% in 2024. This shows that persecution, ethnic tensions, and violations of human rights force people to migrate in search of security and stability.
Social and Demographic Reasons
Family reunification remains a primary reason for migration. Approximately 42% of countries in the Migration Governance Index (MGI) allow family reunification for all migrants, and 53% allow it for some foreign residents. This policy facilitates the migration of individuals to join family members abroad, contributing to the overall emigration figures.
Overseas education is also contributing to this. According to UNESCO, the number of students enrolled in higher education worldwide reached a record 264 million in 2025, an increase of 25 million since 2020 and more than double the total from 2000.
In US, in spite of policy challenges, demand for U.S. higher education remains strong. A survey in late July 2025 of 300 foreign-born students found that 91% planned to study in the U.S., with 99% indicating trust in the academic quality of U.S. institutions.
Effect of Mass Emigration
- Remittances supporting economies globally
Remittances are an important economic lifeline for many countries with significant emigration, projected to reach US$920 billion globally in 2025, up from US$905 billion in 2024. Remittances not only support households and national economies but also actively drive further emigration. By improving living standards and providing financial resources, they enable families to cover migration costs such as visas and education abroad.
For example, in Nepal, where remittances account for over 25% of GDP, and the Philippines, which received $30.3 billion in remittances in 2024, these inflows have encouraged additional family members to seek work or education opportunities abroad. This cycle illustrates how remittances both reflect and reinforce global migration trends.
- Cross-border payments serving as an opportunity
Fintech innovations are significantly reshaping cross-border digital payments, especially in regions with emigrant populations. In 2025, the global digital payments market size was valued at US$ 119.40 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow from US$ 142.28 billion in 2025 to reach US$ 578.33 billion by 2033. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of digital wallets and blockchain-based transfers.
In corridors such as India–UAE, Mexico–U.S., and Philippines–Saudi Arabia, fintech solutions are thriving due to the high volume of remittances. For instance, India is expected to receive over US$125 billion in remittances in 2025. Digital platforms like Paytm and GCash are facilitating these transactions, offering faster and more cost-effective alternatives to traditional money transfer operators.
Prominent Countries with the Highest Emigration Population in 2025
In 2025, India leads global emigration with 17.9 million citizens living abroad, followed by Mexico with 11.2 million and Russia with 10.8 million. China closely trails with 10.5 million emigrants, while Syria ranks fifth at 8.5 million, reflecting ongoing conflict-driven migration.
Significant numbers also come from Bangladesh (7.4 million), Pakistan (6.3 million), and Ukraine (6.1 million), the latter influenced by regional instability. The Philippines matches Ukraine with 6.1 million citizens abroad, and Afghanistan ranks 10th with 5.9 million emigrants, highlighting a combination of economic, social, and conflict-related migration patterns shaping global population movements.
Conclusion
Emigration in 2025 is helping economies far beyond borders, fueling remittances, driving fintech growth, and influencing consumer demand in both origin and host countries. For global markets, this means new diaspora-driven opportunities across sectors. For businesses and investors, this movement of people translates into billions of dollars in economic activity and entirely new markets waiting to be explored.
