Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 942,178 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Sub-Saharan Africa, 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 Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 942,178.
The figure is up 8.8% on the previous year and down 27.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 1.29 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 78,334, in 2000.
That places Sub-Saharan Africa 21st out of 45 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 Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 78,334 | — |
| 2001 | 90,387 | +15.4% |
| 2002 | 146,755 | +62.4% |
| 2003 | 158,617 | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 197,518 | +24.5% |
| 2005 | 238,827 | +20.9% |
| 2006 | 223,261 | -6.5% |
| 2007 | 251,685 | +12.7% |
| 2008 | 305,104 | +21.2% |
| 2009 | 418,591 | +37.2% |
| 2010 | 310,575 | -25.8% |
| 2011 | 364,809 | +17.5% |
| 2012 | 390,480 | +7.0% |
| 2013 | 414,929 | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 653,152 | +57.4% |
| 2015 | 1.29 million | +97.6% |
| 2016 | 442,535 | -65.7% |
| 2017 | 499,967 | +13.0% |
| 2018 | 474,616 | -5.1% |
| 2019 | 519,647 | +9.5% |
| 2020 | 480,930 | -7.5% |
| 2021 | 534,324 | +11.1% |
| 2022 | 469,183 | -12.2% |
| 2023 | 743,472 | +58.5% |
| 2024 | 866,231 | +16.5% |
| 2025 | 942,178 | +8.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 210,908 | 78,334 | 418,591 | 10 |
| 2010s | 536,135 | 310,575 | 1.29 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 672,720 | 469,183 | 942,178 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More social development data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.48 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11.08 million (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 11.08 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0072 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 11.06 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.48 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 14.23 % 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 Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Sub-Saharan Africa was 942,178 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 Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.29 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 78,334 in 2000.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa 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.