Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Uganda
Uganda: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 35,249 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Uganda, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Uganda recorded 35,249 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
The figure is down 5.0% on the previous year and down 1.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Uganda peaked at 44,635 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 544, in 2002.
That places Uganda 28th out of 179 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
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 Uganda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2,466 | — |
| 2001 | 629 | -74.5% |
| 2002 | 544 | -13.5% |
| 2003 | 723 | +32.9% |
| 2004 | 1,806 | +149.8% |
| 2005 | 1,806 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 5,812 | +221.8% |
| 2007 | 5,776 | -0.6% |
| 2008 | 9,248 | +60.1% |
| 2009 | 11,551 | +24.9% |
| 2010 | 20,803 | +80.1% |
| 2011 | 23,449 | +12.7% |
| 2012 | 28,061 | +19.7% |
| 2013 | 24,216 | -13.7% |
| 2014 | 35,468 | +46.5% |
| 2015 | 35,768 | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 41,872 | +17.1% |
| 2017 | 44,635 | +6.6% |
| 2018 | 25,269 | -43.4% |
| 2019 | 21,658 | -14.3% |
| 2020 | 25,236 | +16.5% |
| 2021 | 43,388 | +71.9% |
| 2022 | 32,166 | -25.9% |
| 2023 | 37,657 | +17.1% |
| 2024 | 37,105 | -1.5% |
| 2025 | 35,249 | -5.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4,036 | 544 | 11,551 | 10 |
| 2010s | 30,120 | 20,803 | 44,635 | 10 |
| 2020s | 35,134 | 25,236 | 43,388 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Uganda
- 25 Netherlands 49,662 compare
- 26 Tanzania, United Republic of 43,262 compare
- 27 Republic of Korea 39,106 compare
- 29 Ireland 33,728 compare
- 30 Greece 31,928 compare
- 31 Angola 30,261 compare
More social development data for Uganda
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.94 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 12,792 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 6 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (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 12,792 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0377 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 Uganda?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Uganda was 35,249 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 Uganda?
- The highest recorded value was 44,635 in 2017.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Uganda?
- The lowest recorded value was 544 in 2002.
- How does Uganda rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Uganda ranks 28th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Uganda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Uganda 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.