Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Africa Eastern and Southern
Africa Eastern and Southern: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 1.88 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Africa Eastern and Southern, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Africa Eastern and Southern stood at 1.88 million. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 20.2% on the previous year and up 328.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Africa Eastern and Southern peaked at 1.88 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 105,230, in 2000.
Africa Eastern and Southern ranks 21st of 45 groups 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 origin in Africa Eastern and Southern, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 105,230 | — |
| 2001 | 124,878 | +18.7% |
| 2002 | 156,246 | +25.1% |
| 2003 | 140,115 | -10.3% |
| 2004 | 155,106 | +10.7% |
| 2005 | 196,307 | +26.6% |
| 2006 | 109,451 | -44.2% |
| 2007 | 181,575 | +65.9% |
| 2008 | 187,308 | +3.2% |
| 2009 | 148,590 | -20.7% |
| 2010 | 175,294 | +18.0% |
| 2011 | 234,137 | +33.6% |
| 2012 | 273,751 | +16.9% |
| 2013 | 319,559 | +16.7% |
| 2014 | 361,194 | +13.0% |
| 2015 | 439,309 | +21.6% |
| 2016 | 452,561 | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 603,745 | +33.4% |
| 2018 | 610,172 | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 618,470 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 607,642 | -1.8% |
| 2021 | 648,209 | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 624,460 | -3.7% |
| 2023 | 1.02 million | +62.9% |
| 2024 | 1.56 million | +53.8% |
| 2025 | 1.88 million | +20.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 150,481 | 105,230 | 196,307 | 10 |
| 2010s | 408,819 | 175,294 | 618,470 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.06 million | 607,642 | 1.88 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa Eastern and Southern
More social development data for Africa Eastern and Southern
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0109 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8.61 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0078 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 4.93 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6.12 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8.61 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6.12 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 12.19 % 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 origin in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Africa Eastern and Southern was 1.88 million 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 Africa Eastern and Southern?
- The highest recorded value was 1.88 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- The lowest recorded value was 105,230 in 2000.
- How does Africa Eastern and Southern rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Africa Eastern and Southern ranks 21st out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- Over the last ten years it is up 328.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Eastern and Southern 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.