Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Malawi
Malawi: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 25,251 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Malawi, 2002–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Malawi stood at 25,251.
The figure is up 19.4% on the previous year and up 74.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Malawi peaked at 33,129 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3,332, in 2004.
That places Malawi 35th out of 179 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11,065 | — |
| 2003 | 8,846 | -20.1% |
| 2004 | 3,332 | -62.3% |
| 2005 | 5,325 | +59.8% |
| 2006 | 5,244 | -1.5% |
| 2007 | 6,776 | +29.2% |
| 2008 | 6,538 | -3.5% |
| 2009 | 4,600 | -29.6% |
| 2010 | 9,356 | +103.4% |
| 2011 | 10,542 | +12.7% |
| 2012 | 10,110 | -4.1% |
| 2013 | 11,136 | +10.1% |
| 2014 | 14,493 | +30.1% |
| 2015 | 14,467 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 21,022 | +45.3% |
| 2017 | 25,987 | +23.6% |
| 2018 | 23,135 | -11.0% |
| 2019 | 30,293 | +30.9% |
| 2020 | 33,129 | +9.4% |
| 2021 | 30,904 | -6.7% |
| 2022 | 21,263 | -31.2% |
| 2023 | 17,695 | -16.8% |
| 2024 | 21,149 | +19.5% |
| 2025 | 25,251 | +19.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6,466 | 3,332 | 11,065 | 8 |
| 2010s | 17,054 | 9,356 | 30,293 | 10 |
| 2020s | 24,898 | 17,695 | 33,129 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More social development data for Malawi
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 35,241 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 551 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 2 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate -33.33 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (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 551 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0016 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 Malawi?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Malawi was 25,251 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 33,129 in 2020.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,332 in 2004.
- How does Malawi rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Malawi ranks 35th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 74.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi 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.