Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in China
China: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 99,716 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in China, 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 origin in China is 99,716, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 44.9% on the previous year and up 72.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in China peaked at 180,960 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 7,732, in 2010.
China ranks 22nd of 198 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17,178 | — |
| 2001 | 19,783 | +15.2% |
| 2002 | 25,224 | +27.5% |
| 2003 | 21,257 | -15.7% |
| 2004 | 19,725 | -7.2% |
| 2005 | 19,378 | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 17,278 | -10.8% |
| 2007 | 15,526 | -10.1% |
| 2008 | 19,615 | +26.3% |
| 2009 | 18,325 | -6.6% |
| 2010 | 7,732 | -57.8% |
| 2011 | 11,375 | +47.1% |
| 2012 | 15,362 | +35.1% |
| 2013 | 24,799 | +61.4% |
| 2014 | 47,335 | +90.9% |
| 2015 | 57,693 | +21.9% |
| 2016 | 72,165 | +25.1% |
| 2017 | 89,508 | +24.0% |
| 2018 | 94,351 | +5.4% |
| 2019 | 104,248 | +10.5% |
| 2020 | 108,071 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 118,476 | +9.6% |
| 2022 | 116,338 | -1.8% |
| 2023 | 137,143 | +17.9% |
| 2024 | 180,960 | +31.9% |
| 2025 | 99,716 | -44.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19,329 | 15,526 | 25,224 | 10 |
| 2010s | 52,457 | 7,732 | 104,248 | 10 |
| 2020s | 126,784 | 99,716 | 180,960 | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
- 19 Türkiye 117,576 compare
- 20 Peru 113,900 compare
- 21 El Salvador 108,289 compare
- 23 Iraq 96,887 compare
- 24 Bangladesh 92,441 compare
- 25 Russian Federation 88,310 compare
More social development data for China
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 230 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 153,962 (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 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 153,962 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in China?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in China was 99,716 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 180,960 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 7,732 in 2010.
- How does China rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- China ranks 22nd out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 72.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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.