Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium
Belgium: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 58,725 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
The most recent figure for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium is 58,725, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.5% on the previous year and up 63.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium peaked at 58,725 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 664, in 2001.
Belgium ranks 22nd of 179 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 46,240 | — |
| 2001 | 664 | -98.6% |
| 2002 | 20,027 | +2916.1% |
| 2003 | 22,582 | +12.8% |
| 2004 | 22,857 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 18,895 | -17.3% |
| 2006 | 15,715 | -16.8% |
| 2007 | 15,247 | -3.0% |
| 2008 | 14,261 | -6.5% |
| 2009 | 18,233 | +27.9% |
| 2010 | 18,288 | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 19,006 | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 15,023 | -21.0% |
| 2013 | 11,479 | -23.6% |
| 2014 | 9,943 | -13.4% |
| 2015 | 35,996 | +262.0% |
| 2016 | 24,098 | -33.1% |
| 2017 | 18,760 | -22.2% |
| 2018 | 19,550 | +4.2% |
| 2019 | 10,862 | -44.4% |
| 2020 | 29,305 | +169.8% |
| 2021 | 28,955 | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 41,810 | +44.4% |
| 2023 | 44,600 | +6.7% |
| 2024 | 53,138 | +19.1% |
| 2025 | 58,725 | +10.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19,472 | 664 | 46,240 | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,300 | 9,943 | 35,996 | 10 |
| 2020s | 42,756 | 28,955 | 58,725 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More social development data for Belgium
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 186,393 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 113 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 1 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 113 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0156 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Belgium was 58,725 in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 58,725 in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 664 in 2001.
- How does Belgium rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Belgium ranks 22nd out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 63.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.