According to the United Nations, over 900,000 South Africans were living overseas, by the end of 2020.
Many chose countries like England, the US, Australia and New Zealand for their new homes.
Data from FNB, one of the country’s leading banks, reveals that 18% of homes which were sold three years ago were due to relocations.
That number went down to 14% this year.
While hundreds of thousands remain outside the country, other figures show that about 400,000 South Africans returned home in the last decade.
Alan Kasujja has been speaking to two South Africans; Antoinette Takis and Chantel Hinrichsen, who left and have now returned home.
He also heard from Dr Anthony Kaziboni from the University of Johannesburg. He’s an expert on emigration.