Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in OECD members
OECD members: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 5.96 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in OECD members, 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 OECD members stood at 5.96 million. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 6.0% on the previous year and up 263.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in OECD members peaked at 5.96 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 365,269, in 2007.
OECD members ranks 2nd of 45 groups on this measure, 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 OECD members, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 812,274 | — |
| 2001 | 799,503 | -1.6% |
| 2002 | 898,874 | +12.4% |
| 2003 | 764,223 | -15.0% |
| 2004 | 613,214 | -19.8% |
| 2005 | 447,280 | -27.1% |
| 2006 | 396,945 | -11.3% |
| 2007 | 365,269 | -8.0% |
| 2008 | 390,912 | +7.0% |
| 2009 | 422,154 | +8.0% |
| 2010 | 372,052 | -11.9% |
| 2011 | 387,312 | +4.1% |
| 2012 | 423,386 | +9.3% |
| 2013 | 574,227 | +35.6% |
| 2014 | 915,867 | +59.5% |
| 2015 | 1.64 million | +78.9% |
| 2016 | 1.91 million | +16.6% |
| 2017 | 2.13 million | +11.3% |
| 2018 | 2.24 million | +5.1% |
| 2019 | 2.50 million | +11.8% |
| 2020 | 2.53 million | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 2.90 million | +14.6% |
| 2022 | 3.75 million | +29.1% |
| 2023 | 4.85 million | +29.3% |
| 2024 | 5.63 million | +16.1% |
| 2025 | 5.96 million | +6.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 591,065 | 365,269 | 898,874 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.31 million | 372,052 | 2.50 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.27 million | 2.53 million | 5.96 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near OECD members
More social development data for OECD members
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 289,139 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 289,139 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0084 units per person (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11.80 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11.80 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -2.76 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5 % 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 OECD members?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in OECD members was 5.96 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 OECD members?
- The highest recorded value was 5.96 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in OECD members?
- The lowest recorded value was 365,269 in 2007.
- How does OECD members rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- OECD members ranks 2nd out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in OECD members?
- Over the last ten years it is up 263.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this OECD members 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.