Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 144,747 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
The most recent figure for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 144,747, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 16.0% on the previous year and up 215.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 167,289 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 9,700, in 2004.
That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 11th 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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 88,600 | — |
| 2001 | 38,800 | -56.2% |
| 2002 | 41,300 | +6.4% |
| 2003 | 23,900 | -42.1% |
| 2004 | 9,700 | -59.4% |
| 2005 | 12,500 | +28.9% |
| 2006 | 12,400 | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 10,800 | -12.9% |
| 2008 | 13,600 | +25.9% |
| 2009 | 12,406 | -8.8% |
| 2010 | 14,880 | +19.9% |
| 2011 | 16,861 | +13.3% |
| 2012 | 18,896 | +12.1% |
| 2013 | 25,100 | +32.8% |
| 2014 | 36,354 | +44.8% |
| 2015 | 45,853 | +26.1% |
| 2016 | 43,496 | -5.1% |
| 2017 | 40,354 | -7.2% |
| 2018 | 45,234 | +12.1% |
| 2019 | 61,947 | +36.9% |
| 2020 | 77,245 | +24.7% |
| 2021 | 104,897 | +35.8% |
| 2022 | 167,289 | +59.5% |
| 2023 | 138,156 | -17.4% |
| 2024 | 124,783 | -9.7% |
| 2025 | 144,747 | +16.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26,401 | 9,700 | 88,600 | 10 |
| 2010s | 34,898 | 14,880 | 61,947 | 10 |
| 2020s | 126,186 | 77,245 | 167,289 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More social development data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 581,072 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 517 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 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 517 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 144,747 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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 167,289 in 2022.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 9,700 in 2004.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 11th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 215.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 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.