Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Spain
Spain: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 248,715 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Spain, 2009–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Spain recorded 248,715 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
The figure is down 5.8% on the previous year and up 2,156.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Spain peaked at 263,965 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2,670, in 2011.
That places Spain 6th out of 179 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 Spain, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3,280 | — |
| 2010 | 2,688 | -18.0% |
| 2011 | 2,670 | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 2,790 | +4.5% |
| 2013 | 4,329 | +55.2% |
| 2014 | 7,508 | +73.4% |
| 2015 | 11,023 | +46.8% |
| 2016 | 20,360 | +84.7% |
| 2017 | 34,866 | +71.2% |
| 2018 | 78,685 | +125.7% |
| 2019 | 133,030 | +69.1% |
| 2020 | 103,385 | -22.3% |
| 2021 | 103,850 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 134,580 | +29.6% |
| 2023 | 204,270 | +51.8% |
| 2024 | 263,965 | +29.2% |
| 2025 | 248,715 | -5.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3,280 | 3,280 | 3,280 | 1 |
| 2010s | 29,795 | 2,670 | 133,030 | 10 |
| 2020s | 176,461 | 103,385 | 263,965 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More social development data for Spain
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 511,079 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 186 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 1 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (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 186 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0104 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 Spain?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Spain was 248,715 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 263,965 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,670 in 2011.
- How does Spain rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Spain ranks 6th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,156.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain 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.