Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Panama
Panama: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 4,129 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Panama, 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 Panama stood at 4,129.
That represents a change of down 49.3% on the previous year and up 41.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Panama peaked at 17,673 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 53, in 2001.
That places Panama 73rd out of 179 countries 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 Panama, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 85 | — |
| 2001 | 53 | -37.6% |
| 2002 | 82 | +54.7% |
| 2003 | 95 | +15.9% |
| 2004 | 260 | +173.7% |
| 2005 | 426 | +63.8% |
| 2006 | 241 | -43.4% |
| 2007 | 524 | +117.4% |
| 2008 | 596 | +13.7% |
| 2009 | 778 | +30.5% |
| 2010 | 469 | -39.7% |
| 2011 | 782 | +66.7% |
| 2012 | 357 | -54.3% |
| 2013 | 624 | +74.8% |
| 2014 | 1,395 | +123.6% |
| 2015 | 2,929 | +110.0% |
| 2016 | 4,465 | +52.4% |
| 2017 | 7,289 | +63.2% |
| 2018 | 13,602 | +86.6% |
| 2019 | 17,673 | +29.9% |
| 2020 | 12,892 | -27.1% |
| 2021 | 11,630 | -9.8% |
| 2022 | 8,475 | -27.1% |
| 2023 | 8,419 | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 8,143 | -3.3% |
| 2025 | 4,129 | -49.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 314 | 53 | 778 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,958 | 357 | 17,673 | 10 |
| 2020s | 8,948 | 4,129 | 12,892 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Panama
- 70 New Zealand 4,584 compare
- 71 Togo 4,282 compare
- 72 Syrian Arab Republic 4,144 compare
- 74 Guatemala 4,088 compare
- 75 Argentina 3,941 compare
- 76 Saudi Arabia 3,907 compare
More social development data for Panama
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,694 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 375 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 2 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % 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 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 375 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0006 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 Panama?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Panama was 4,129 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 Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 17,673 in 2019.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 53 in 2001.
- How does Panama rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Panama ranks 73rd out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is up 41.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama 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.