Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Canada
Canada: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 314,469 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Canada, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Canada stood at 314,469. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 7.7% on the previous year and up 1,501.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Canada peaked at 314,469 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 16,699, in 2014.
Canada ranks 4th of 179 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 30,170 | — |
| 2001 | 45,795 | +51.8% |
| 2002 | 52,755 | +15.2% |
| 2003 | 41,570 | -21.2% |
| 2004 | 27,276 | -34.4% |
| 2005 | 20,533 | -24.7% |
| 2006 | 23,575 | +14.8% |
| 2007 | 37,509 | +59.1% |
| 2008 | 54,187 | +44.5% |
| 2009 | 61,167 | +12.9% |
| 2010 | 50,998 | -16.6% |
| 2011 | 41,835 | -18.0% |
| 2012 | 32,647 | -22.0% |
| 2013 | 22,145 | -32.2% |
| 2014 | 16,699 | -24.6% |
| 2015 | 19,631 | +17.6% |
| 2016 | 23,946 | +22.0% |
| 2017 | 51,859 | +116.6% |
| 2018 | 78,766 | +51.9% |
| 2019 | 97,017 | +23.2% |
| 2020 | 85,352 | -12.0% |
| 2021 | 63,144 | -26.0% |
| 2022 | 113,066 | +79.1% |
| 2023 | 197,961 | +75.1% |
| 2024 | 292,055 | +47.5% |
| 2025 | 314,469 | +7.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 39,454 | 20,533 | 61,167 | 10 |
| 2010s | 43,554 | 16,699 | 97,017 | 10 |
| 2020s | 177,674 | 63,144 | 314,469 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More social development data for Canada
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 416,028 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 360 (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 360 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.01 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 Canada?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Canada was 314,469 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 314,469 in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 16,699 in 2014.
- How does Canada rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Canada ranks 4th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,501.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
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.