Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 178,212 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Costa Rica, 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 Costa Rica is 178,212, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 18.2% on the previous year and up 5,368.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Costa Rica peaked at 239,640 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 79, in 2003.
Costa Rica ranks 9th 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 Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,089 | — |
| 2001 | 2,588 | +137.6% |
| 2002 | 85 | -96.7% |
| 2003 | 79 | -7.1% |
| 2004 | 223 | +182.3% |
| 2005 | 223 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 332 | +48.9% |
| 2007 | 503 | +51.5% |
| 2008 | 441 | -12.3% |
| 2009 | 575 | +30.4% |
| 2010 | 377 | -34.4% |
| 2011 | 451 | +19.6% |
| 2012 | 624 | +38.4% |
| 2013 | 593 | -5.0% |
| 2014 | 1,751 | +195.3% |
| 2015 | 3,259 | +86.1% |
| 2016 | 3,626 | +11.3% |
| 2017 | 7,428 | +104.9% |
| 2018 | 32,595 | +338.8% |
| 2019 | 87,154 | +167.4% |
| 2020 | 89,744 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 152,507 | +69.9% |
| 2022 | 239,640 | +57.1% |
| 2023 | 193,718 | -19.2% |
| 2024 | 217,889 | +12.5% |
| 2025 | 178,212 | -18.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 613.8 | 79 | 2,588 | 10 |
| 2010s | 13,786 | 377 | 87,154 | 10 |
| 2020s | 178,618 | 89,744 | 239,640 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
More social development data for Costa Rica
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 36,395 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 367 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 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 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 367 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0071 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 Costa Rica?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Costa Rica was 178,212 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 Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 239,640 in 2022.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 79 in 2003.
- How does Costa Rica rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Costa Rica ranks 9th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5,368.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Costa Rica 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.