Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Botswana
Botswana: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 789 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Botswana, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Botswana recorded 789 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
That represents a change of down 40.7% on the previous year and up 980.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Botswana peaked at 1,389 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2000.
Botswana ranks 112th of 198 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 origin in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 5 | — |
| 2002 | 10 | +100.0% |
| 2003 | 16 | +60.0% |
| 2004 | 7 | -56.2% |
| 2005 | 8 | +14.3% |
| 2006 | 27 | +237.5% |
| 2007 | 53 | +96.3% |
| 2008 | 148 | +179.2% |
| 2009 | 195 | +31.8% |
| 2010 | 185 | -5.1% |
| 2011 | 168 | -9.2% |
| 2012 | 126 | -25.0% |
| 2013 | 101 | -19.8% |
| 2014 | 69 | -31.7% |
| 2015 | 73 | +5.8% |
| 2016 | 127 | +74.0% |
| 2017 | 95 | -25.2% |
| 2018 | 89 | -6.3% |
| 2019 | 139 | +56.2% |
| 2020 | 134 | -3.6% |
| 2021 | 213 | +59.0% |
| 2022 | 686 | +222.1% |
| 2023 | 1,389 | +102.5% |
| 2024 | 1,331 | -4.2% |
| 2025 | 789 | -40.7% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 789 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4,212, 19% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 789 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8,058, 10% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 46.9 | 0 | 195 | 10 |
| 2010s | 117.2 | 69 | 185 | 10 |
| 2020s | 757 | 134 | 1,389 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More social development data for Botswana
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 847 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 384 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 384 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0003 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 origin in Botswana?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Botswana was 789 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 Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 1,389 in 2023.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2000.
- How does Botswana rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Botswana ranks 112th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 980.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana 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.