The Wise Move Migration Report: Unboxing South Africa's Moving Trends—discover where, why and how South Africans are moving around the nation.
Wise Move is excited to present the first ever South African Migration Report– analysing nearly 15,000 data points, we have unique insights into home owners and renters alike. From city reurbanisation to the steady rise of coastal living, the data reveals how and where South Africans are relocating—unpacking key insights that shape the future of cities, suburbs, and the way we move.
Get the full breakdown of South Africa's migration shifts in the 2025 Wise Move Migration Report.
At a glance
Data: Data from 15,000 moves analysed–home owners and renters alike, giving a more comprehensive view of South Africa's moving patterns and trends.
Demographics: Accurate demographics identifying the age and gender of the people moving– helping us better understand the needs of the people who use our services, especially women and young professionals.
Trends: With real time data Wise Move is able to analyse and predict moving trends– pinpointing areas with growing interest and how this is shaping our country.
*Data collected between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024
We trace the movement of South Africans between and within provinces to reveal which regions are growing, which are losing residents, and how these patterns have shifted in the past year.
Whether it’s people leaving major metros, returning home, or seeking out new economic hubs, these flows say a lot about the future of our provinces — and the choices people are making today.
Top Cities, Towns & Suburbs on the Move
Which suburbs are booming with incoming residents? Which smaller towns are quietly gaining traction?
The Wise Move Migration Report 2025 highlights the top areas South Africans are moving to — and from — helping you spot growth hotspots, emerging lifestyle trends, and communities that are rapidly changing shape.
When South Africans Move
Timing is everything. We break down the most popular months, weeks, and even days of the week to move — and why certain times of year spark a surge in relocation activity.
The insights here are especially useful for service providers, families, and anyone looking to plan a move around school terms, holidays, or cost-saving windows.
What People Are Moving
It’s not just homes. From full-house relocations to single-item furniture deliveries, vehicle and pet transport, and even piano moves — we reveal what South Africans are packing up and taking with them.
These insights give a deeper understanding of lifestyle shifts, family dynamics, and the growing demand for specialised services.
Who’s moving
Moving is most common among young professionals and growing families.
31.2% of movers are aged 25–34
24.4% are aged 35–44
57% of movers are female, highlighting who typically leads relocation decisions
Why it all matters
The report highlights a migration story of stability over radical change, with many South Africans opting to relocate within the same property type or similar neighbourhoods.
Whether you're a homeowner, renter, investor, or moving company—understanding these trends helps you plan, pivot, and prosper.
"Behind every move lies an economic ripple effect—one that influences property markets, local businesses, and infrastructure development. South Africa’s migration trends are more than just numbers; they reveal where opportunities are growing, where people find stability, and how cities evolve to meet shifting demands," – Chante Venter, Co-Founder and CEO of Wise Move
Wise Move is all about giving customers and carriers a seamless, hassle-free movers experience. Our tools are designed to simplify every step, ensuring the entire process is as smooth and effortless as possible.
Chante Venter, CEO of Wise Move South Africa, is the go-to person if you're curious about the Wise Move journey, want insights on the moving industry, or just want to hear what it’s like to build a startup from the ground up.
For press commentary or interview requests, feel free to reach out to us.
Any use, reproduction, or distribution of the data, insights, or content from this report must include attribution with a clearly visible hyperlink to the Wise Move homepage (https://www.wisemove.co.za) via a clearly visible hyperlink.
We’re dedicated to connecting customers with the best, most efficient and most cost-effective movers in South Africa, both at a local and at a national level.
Wise Move was founded back in 2017 to give control to both customers and providers over the removals process, providing both with the tools to make every job convenient and simple for both parties.
Whatever your industry, whatever your business, one thing is true for all of us – we need to be doing better by our planet.
That goes for us at Wise Move too – we know that we can always do more to be a more sustainable business. One of the main ways we’re helping to build back greener is our work with 1% For The Planet.
As part of our membership, we are committed to donating 1% of our yearly sales to a carefully chosen selection of grass-root environmental charities who are doing critical work in protecting our local nature.
