Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 3,907 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Saudi Arabia, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 3,907 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
That represents a change of up 11,739.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Saudi Arabia peaked at 12,449 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 33, in 2015.
Saudi Arabia ranks 76th of 179 countries 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 Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 173 | — |
| 2001 | 235 | +35.8% |
| 2002 | 125 | -46.8% |
| 2003 | 94 | -24.8% |
| 2004 | 172 | +83.0% |
| 2005 | 212 | +23.3% |
| 2006 | 269 | +26.9% |
| 2007 | 284 | +5.6% |
| 2008 | 189 | -33.5% |
| 2009 | 101 | -46.6% |
| 2010 | 85 | -15.8% |
| 2011 | 80 | -5.9% |
| 2012 | 98 | +22.5% |
| 2013 | 98 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 99 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 33 | -66.7% |
| 2016 | 51 | +54.5% |
| 2017 | 82 | +60.8% |
| 2018 | 2,167 | +2542.7% |
| 2019 | 2,327 | +7.4% |
| 2020 | 9,434 | +305.4% |
| 2021 | 12,449 | +32.0% |
| 2022 | 3,941 | -68.3% |
| 2023 | 3,945 | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 3,907 | -1.0% |
| 2025 | 3,907 | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 185.4 | 94 | 284 | 10 |
| 2010s | 512 | 33 | 2,327 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,264 | 3,907 | 12,449 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More social development data for Saudi Arabia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 448 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,368 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (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 2,368 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Saudi Arabia?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Saudi Arabia was 3,907 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 12,449 in 2021.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 33 in 2015.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 76th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11,739.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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.