Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 270,007 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Afghanistan, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 270,007 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
That represents a change of down 29.8% on the previous year and up 4.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Afghanistan peaked at 384,732 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 14,023, in 2005.
That places Afghanistan 5th out of 198 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 origin in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 40,290 | — |
| 2001 | 30,782 | -23.6% |
| 2002 | 26,687 | -13.3% |
| 2003 | 26,308 | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 16,983 | -35.4% |
| 2005 | 14,023 | -17.4% |
| 2006 | 14,959 | +6.7% |
| 2007 | 16,077 | +7.5% |
| 2008 | 23,177 | +44.2% |
| 2009 | 30,406 | +31.2% |
| 2010 | 37,101 | +22.0% |
| 2011 | 39,199 | +5.7% |
| 2012 | 62,304 | +58.9% |
| 2013 | 75,284 | +20.8% |
| 2014 | 85,407 | +13.4% |
| 2015 | 258,862 | +203.1% |
| 2016 | 369,072 | +42.6% |
| 2017 | 333,986 | -9.5% |
| 2018 | 310,107 | -7.1% |
| 2019 | 251,047 | -19.0% |
| 2020 | 238,791 | -4.9% |
| 2021 | 262,860 | +10.1% |
| 2022 | 294,493 | +12.0% |
| 2023 | 296,033 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 384,732 | +30.0% |
| 2025 | 270,007 | -29.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 23,969 | 14,023 | 40,290 | 10 |
| 2010s | 182,237 | 37,101 | 369,072 | 10 |
| 2020s | 291,153 | 238,791 | 384,732 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More social development data for Afghanistan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 20,869 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.67 million (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 7 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0609 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.67 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0005 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Afghanistan?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Afghanistan was 270,007 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 origin recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 384,732 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 14,023 in 2005.
- How does Afghanistan rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Afghanistan ranks 5th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan 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 origin. 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.