Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Latin America & Caribbean
Latin America & Caribbean: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 1.14 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Latin America & Caribbean, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Latin America & Caribbean recorded 1.14 million for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
That represents a change of down 7.3% on the previous year and up 2,442.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Latin America & Caribbean peaked at 1.31 million in 2022 and was at its lowest, 3,377, in 2000.
Latin America & Caribbean ranks 18th of 47 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 Latin America & Caribbean, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3,377 | — |
| 2001 | 7,851 | +132.5% |
| 2002 | 6,126 | -22.0% |
| 2003 | 7,092 | +15.8% |
| 2004 | 7,969 | +12.4% |
| 2005 | 10,711 | +34.4% |
| 2006 | 16,143 | +50.7% |
| 2007 | 41,005 | +154.0% |
| 2008 | 49,833 | +21.5% |
| 2009 | 68,627 | +37.7% |
| 2010 | 71,218 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 49,498 | -30.5% |
| 2012 | 22,001 | -55.6% |
| 2013 | 22,786 | +3.6% |
| 2014 | 32,407 | +42.2% |
| 2015 | 44,712 | +38.0% |
| 2016 | 87,823 | +96.4% |
| 2017 | 184,040 | +109.6% |
| 2018 | 513,550 | +179.0% |
| 2019 | 957,214 | +86.4% |
| 2020 | 1.03 million | +7.5% |
| 2021 | 1.16 million | +12.6% |
| 2022 | 1.31 million | +12.8% |
| 2023 | 1.16 million | -11.6% |
| 2024 | 1.23 million | +6.2% |
| 2025 | 1.14 million | -7.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 21,873 | 3,377 | 68,627 | 10 |
| 2010s | 198,525 | 22,001 | 957,214 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.17 million | 1.03 million | 1.31 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Latin America & Caribbean
More social development data for Latin America & Caribbean
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 540,170 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.02 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0015 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.02 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0008 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 540,170 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.43 % change on previous year (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 Latin America & Caribbean?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Latin America & Caribbean was 1.14 million 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 Latin America & Caribbean?
- The highest recorded value was 1.31 million in 2022.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,377 in 2000.
- How does Latin America & Caribbean rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Latin America & Caribbean ranks 18th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,442.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Latin America & Caribbean 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.