Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 168,421 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Democratic Republic of Congo, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 168,421 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 121.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 168,421 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 19,844, in 2000.
That places Democratic Republic of Congo 12th 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 Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 19,844 | — |
| 2001 | 28,257 | +42.4% |
| 2002 | 44,078 | +56.0% |
| 2003 | 51,942 | +17.8% |
| 2004 | 50,911 | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 55,950 | +9.9% |
| 2006 | 29,211 | -47.8% |
| 2007 | 36,291 | +24.2% |
| 2008 | 36,277 | -0.0% |
| 2009 | 31,104 | -14.3% |
| 2010 | 43,082 | +38.5% |
| 2011 | 52,315 | +21.4% |
| 2012 | 58,670 | +12.1% |
| 2013 | 65,353 | +11.4% |
| 2014 | 67,339 | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 76,029 | +12.9% |
| 2016 | 82,709 | +8.8% |
| 2017 | 136,152 | +64.6% |
| 2018 | 133,422 | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 145,502 | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 145,372 | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 148,099 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 135,099 | -8.8% |
| 2023 | 149,805 | +10.9% |
| 2024 | 165,456 | +10.4% |
| 2025 | 168,421 | +1.8% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 168,421 is above the median for low income countries, which is 23,629, 7.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 168,421 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8,058, 20.9× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 38,386 | 19,844 | 55,950 | 10 |
| 2010s | 86,057 | 43,082 | 145,502 | 10 |
| 2020s | 152,042 | 135,099 | 168,421 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More social development data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 503,732 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.18 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 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 0.0104 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.18 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0045 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 Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Democratic Republic of Congo was 168,421 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 Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 168,421 in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 19,844 in 2000.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 12th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 121.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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.