Ethiopia Records 5,395 More People Leaving Than Entering in May

November 11, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Ethiopia recorded 5,395 more outgoing than incoming cross-border movements in May 2026, as 17,246 movements out of the country were registered at five monitored border points, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The organisation’s May Flow Monitoring Snapshot Report recorded a total of 29,097 cross-border movements between May 1 and 31. Outgoing movements accounted for 59.3 percent of the total, while incoming movements stood at 11,851, representing 40.7 percent.

The number of outgoing movements declined slightly from 17,613 in April, while incoming movements fell from 12,849 over the same period. Total cross-border movements consequently decreased from 30,462 in April to 29,097 in May.

Moyale, on the border with Kenya, recorded the highest volume of cross-border movements, with 6,680 outgoing and 6,211 incoming movements. Galafi registered 4,241 outflows and 1,340 inflows, while Tog Wajale recorded 3,015 outflows against 1,086 inflows.

Dawele registered 1,944 outgoing movements and 218 incoming movements. Metema was the only monitored crossing where incoming movements exceeded outgoing movements, with 2,996 inflows compared with 1,366 outflows.

The report attributed much of the movement through Dawele, Galafi and Tog Wajale to migration along the Eastern route towards Gulf countries and the Middle East, as well as routes within the Horn of Africa. Metema serves migrants travelling along the Northern route towards Europe and to and from Sudan, while Moyale accommodates movements along the Southern, Northern and Horn of Africa routes.

Economic conditions featured prominently among the reasons reported by people leaving the country. Nearly four in five surveyed outgoing migrants, or 79.3 percent, cited economic reasons, including poverty, debt and lack of livelihoods, as their primary motivation for travelling to their intended destinations. Another 10.5 percent said they were travelling to work or seek employment, while 5.4 percent cited climate-related hazards, including drought and flooding.

The employment profile of outgoing migrants showed that 40.2 percent were unemployed and looking for work before their journey. Self-employed individuals accounted for 24.6 percent, while 17.9 percent were employed. Students represented 10 percent of those surveyed.

Saudi Arabia was the most frequently reported intended destination, accounting for 39.8 percent of surveyed outgoing migrants. Kenya followed with 22.8 percent, while Romania accounted for 9.2 percent. Somalia and Djibouti each represented 4.3 percent, followed by Yemen at 3.9 percent and South Africa at 3.6 percent.

The survey also showed that migrants relied on different sources to finance their journeys. Personal savings accounted for 27.5 percent of reported financing arrangements, followed by support from relatives in Ethiopia at 25.9 percent and relatives abroad at 20.8 percent. Another 13.6 percent reported taking loans or incurring debt.

Meanwhile, incoming movements included people reporting intentions to return to Ethiopia. Among respondents who identified voluntary or forced return as their reason for travelling to their intended destination, 99.4 percent were returning to Ethiopia.

Of the surveyed returnees, 53.5 percent reported coming from Kenya, 32.1 percent from Djibouti and 11.2 percent from Somalia. Economic reasons were the leading factor behind their initial departure from Ethiopia, cited by 48.5 percent of respondents. Seeking or finding work accounted for 27.1 percent, while 14.7 percent cited climate-related hazards.

The IOM's monitoring covered five land border points: Dawele, Galafi, Metema, Moyale and Tog Wajale. Data collection at Kurmuk has remained suspended since February 3, 2026, due to insecurity in the border area.

The organisation cautioned that the figures represent observed movements at selected monitoring points and do not capture all migration flows across the country. Monitoring was conducted between 8:30am and 5:30pm, excluding movements outside operational hours, other uncovered land border crossings and airports. The findings should therefore be treated as indicative estimates rather than a comprehensive representation of migration patterns.

Source: FSX Business News