Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Zambia
Zambia: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 12,906 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Zambia, 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 Zambia is 12,906, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 33.8% on the previous year and up 436.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Zambia peaked at 12,906 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 25, in 2007.
Zambia ranks 51st 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 Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 261 | — |
| 2001 | 500 | +91.6% |
| 2002 | 945 | +89.0% |
| 2003 | 180 | -81.0% |
| 2004 | 86 | -52.2% |
| 2005 | 146 | +69.8% |
| 2006 | 215 | +47.3% |
| 2007 | 25 | -88.4% |
| 2008 | 56 | +124.0% |
| 2009 | 76 | +35.7% |
| 2010 | 324 | +326.3% |
| 2011 | 1,018 | +214.2% |
| 2012 | 1,190 | +16.9% |
| 2013 | 2,217 | +86.3% |
| 2014 | 2,174 | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 2,408 | +10.8% |
| 2016 | 3,318 | +37.8% |
| 2017 | 4,675 | +40.9% |
| 2018 | 3,300 | -29.4% |
| 2019 | 5,067 | +53.5% |
| 2020 | 4,293 | -15.3% |
| 2021 | 4,394 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 2,774 | -36.9% |
| 2023 | 5,549 | +100.0% |
| 2024 | 9,643 | +73.8% |
| 2025 | 12,906 | +33.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 249 | 25 | 945 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,569 | 324 | 5,067 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,593 | 2,774 | 12,906 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More social development data for Zambia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 83,225 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 346 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 4 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (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 346 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0038 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 Zambia?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Zambia was 12,906 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 12,906 in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 25 in 2007.
- How does Zambia rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Zambia ranks 51st out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 436.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.