Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Iraq
Iraq: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 23,366 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Iraq, 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 Iraq stood at 23,366. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 38.4% on the previous year and up 215.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Iraq peaked at 23,366 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 394, in 2001.
Iraq ranks 37th 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 Iraq, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 945 | — |
| 2001 | 394 | -58.3% |
| 2002 | 437 | +10.9% |
| 2003 | 437 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 1,353 | +209.6% |
| 2005 | 1,948 | +44.0% |
| 2006 | 2,180 | +11.9% |
| 2007 | 2,413 | +10.7% |
| 2008 | 2,059 | -14.7% |
| 2009 | 3,794 | +84.3% |
| 2010 | 3,072 | -19.0% |
| 2011 | 4,195 | +36.6% |
| 2012 | 4,908 | +17.0% |
| 2013 | 5,991 | +22.1% |
| 2014 | 8,468 | +41.3% |
| 2015 | 7,414 | -12.4% |
| 2016 | 11,488 | +55.0% |
| 2017 | 13,035 | +13.5% |
| 2018 | 14,013 | +7.5% |
| 2019 | 12,938 | -7.7% |
| 2020 | 12,670 | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 11,508 | -9.2% |
| 2022 | 10,621 | -7.7% |
| 2023 | 12,586 | +18.5% |
| 2024 | 16,882 | +34.1% |
| 2025 | 23,366 | +38.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,596 | 394 | 3,794 | 10 |
| 2010s | 8,552 | 3,072 | 14,013 | 10 |
| 2020s | 14,606 | 10,621 | 23,366 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
More social development data for Iraq
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 322,345 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 270,671 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0058 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 270,671 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0069 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 Iraq?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Iraq was 23,366 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 Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 23,366 in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 394 in 2001.
- How does Iraq rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Iraq ranks 37th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 215.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq 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.