Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Kenya
Kenya: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 218,646 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Kenya, 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 Kenya is 218,646, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and up 447.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Kenya peaked at 219,647 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2,418, in 2002.
That places Kenya 8th out of 179 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8,708 | — |
| 2001 | 12,596 | +44.6% |
| 2002 | 2,418 | -80.8% |
| 2003 | 4,015 | +66.0% |
| 2004 | 9,469 | +135.8% |
| 2005 | 16,446 | +73.7% |
| 2006 | 18,508 | +12.5% |
| 2007 | 5,762 | -68.9% |
| 2008 | 8,762 | +52.1% |
| 2009 | 18,961 | +116.4% |
| 2010 | 27,957 | +47.4% |
| 2011 | 35,268 | +26.2% |
| 2012 | 41,940 | +18.9% |
| 2013 | 52,271 | +24.6% |
| 2014 | 33,994 | -35.0% |
| 2015 | 39,953 | +17.5% |
| 2016 | 43,748 | +9.5% |
| 2017 | 56,499 | +29.1% |
| 2018 | 50,458 | -10.7% |
| 2019 | 50,829 | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 51,916 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 59,001 | +13.6% |
| 2022 | 69,011 | +17.0% |
| 2023 | 152,942 | +121.6% |
| 2024 | 219,647 | +43.6% |
| 2025 | 218,646 | -0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10,564 | 2,418 | 18,961 | 10 |
| 2010s | 43,292 | 27,957 | 56,499 | 10 |
| 2020s | 128,527 | 51,916 | 219,647 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More social development data for Kenya
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 617,125 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 13,325 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 4 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0002 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 13,325 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0107 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 Kenya?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Kenya was 218,646 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 219,647 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,418 in 2002.
- How does Kenya rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Kenya ranks 8th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 447.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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.