Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 1.24 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, 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 Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan is 1.24 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 16.6% on the previous year and up 691.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan peaked at 1.24 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 22,604, in 2002.
That places Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan 14th out of 47 groups with data for 2025, putting it 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 Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 44,708 | — |
| 2001 | 30,897 | -30.9% |
| 2002 | 22,604 | -26.8% |
| 2003 | 31,451 | +39.1% |
| 2004 | 34,429 | +9.5% |
| 2005 | 41,168 | +19.6% |
| 2006 | 56,332 | +36.8% |
| 2007 | 42,393 | -24.7% |
| 2008 | 41,112 | -3.0% |
| 2009 | 40,996 | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 44,671 | +9.0% |
| 2011 | 55,711 | +24.7% |
| 2012 | 60,156 | +8.0% |
| 2013 | 74,961 | +24.6% |
| 2014 | 104,400 | +39.3% |
| 2015 | 156,548 | +50.0% |
| 2016 | 206,488 | +31.9% |
| 2017 | 248,412 | +20.3% |
| 2018 | 300,394 | +20.9% |
| 2019 | 285,524 | -5.0% |
| 2020 | 277,181 | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 282,807 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | 296,014 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | 502,380 | +69.7% |
| 2024 | 1.06 million | +111.6% |
| 2025 | 1.24 million | +16.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 38,609 | 22,604 | 56,332 | 10 |
| 2010s | 153,726 | 44,671 | 300,394 | 10 |
| 2020s | 610,012 | 277,181 | 1.24 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
More social development data for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4.30 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8.25 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.01 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8.25 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0052 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 -42.76 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4.30 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -33.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
All data for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan →
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan was 1.24 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 Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 1.24 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 22,604 in 2002.
- How does Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan ranks 14th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 691.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan 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.