Nearly 2.8 million African-born immigrants live in the US as of 2023, led by Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt

  • In 2023, the total number of African-born immigrants in the US was about 2.79 million.
  • Western Africa is the largest source region, contributing 1.08 million immigrants (39%), led by Nigeria (476k).
  • Eastern Africa is the second-largest source (28%), dominated by Ethiopia (278.2k).
  • Northern Africa accounts for 17%, mainly from Egypt (225.7k).
  • Central Africa contributes 8%, with Cameroon (90.7k) as the top country.
  • Southern Africa is smaller at 5%, almost entirely from South Africa (133.4k).
  • Five countries—Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Cameroon, and South Africa—together make up nearly half of all African-born immigrants in the US.

African migration to the United States has expanded rapidly in recent decades, with 2.79 million African-born immigrants recorded in 2023.

The distribution of African immigrants is far from even across the continent. Western Africa stands out as the leading region of origin, contributing more than 1.08 million immigrants, or nearly 39% of the total African-born population in the US. Within this region, Nigeria dominates with 476k immigrants, making it the single largest African source country. Eastern Africa follows with 28%, led by Ethiopia’s 278k immigrants, the second-largest group overall.

Northern Africa contributes 17%, anchored by Egypt with nearly 226k people, while Central Africa adds 8%, with Cameroon’s 90.7k representing a large share. Southern Africa is smaller at 5%, but highly concentrated: South Africa alone accounts for 133.4k out of 139.5k. An additional 90.7k people were recorded under Africa not elsewhere classified.

For the most part, just five countries, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Cameroon, and South Africa, account for nearly half of all African-born immigrants in the US, reflecting both the diversity of African migration and the outsized role of a few nations.

Source:

Migration Policy Institute

Period:

2023
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