South Africans living abroad have a reputation for being a little homesick.
It turns out the data backs that up.
According to a 2026 study, South Africans are among the most homesick people in the world.
So what exactly are they missing? We looked at the latest research to find out.
More than 1 million South Africans live overseas, according to estimates from the United Nations and Statistics South Africa.
Australia, UK and the US are home to more than half of them.
And many of them still feel the pull of home.
A 2026 study by financial services company Remitly ranked South Africa as the second most homesick nation in the world, with 96.1% of South Africans abroad saying they feel homesick.
Only the Philippines ranked higher.
Here’s what they miss the most.
1. FAMILY
This one tops every list.
According to the study, 80% of South Africans abroad miss their family.
The TEFL Academy found something similar, with more than 77% of South Africans who had lived abroad saying they missed time with family and lifelong friends.
2. FRIENDS
Close behind family are the friends who knew you before you left.
Remitly found that 62% of South Africans abroad miss their friends.
3. FOOD AND DRINK
You can take a South African out of Mzansi, but you can’t take Mzansi out of their stomach.
More than half of South Africans abroad (54%) miss food and drink from home, according to Remitly.
That includes the obvious favourites, like biltong, boerewors and a proper braai.
4. LOCAL BRANDS
Some cravings are very specific.
The University of Cape Town’s Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing surveyed more than 1,500 South Africans living in 73 countries for its South African Diaspora Report 2026.
The brands they missed most included Woolworths, Spur and Nik Naks.
5. THE HUMOUR AND WARMTH
South Africans have a way of making strangers feel like friends.
According to The TEFL Academy’s research, 66.9% of South Africans who had lived abroad said they missed South Africa’s humour, warmth and social culture.
6. THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE AND WEATHER
Long sunny days. Braais under the stars. Beach weekends.
The TEFL Academy found that more than 55% missed South Africa’s outdoor lifestyle.
Remitly’s study found that 34% missed the climate.
7. HEARING THEIR OWN LANGUAGES
There’s nothing like hearing “eish“, “lekker” or “now now” in the wild.
According to Remitly, around 36% of South Africans abroad miss hearing their native language regularly.
8. KNOWING HOW THINGS WORK
This one surprises people.
Moving abroad means relearning everything, from how to open a bank account to how the local healthcare system works.
According to Remitly, 30% of South Africans abroad miss understanding how everyday systems work at home.
And 27% simply miss sleeping in their own bed.
WILL SOUTH AFRICANS LIVING ABROAD COME HOME?
Missing home doesn’t always mean moving back.
The University of Cape Town’s survey found that only 17% of South Africans abroad plan to return to South Africa.
I grew up in different countries, so I know that feeling well.
You can love where you live and still miss the small things: the slang, the food, the way people talk to strangers.
To every South African reading this from abroad: Mzansi misses you too.
WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA?
Let us know in the comments below…