Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 1,820 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Costa Rica, 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 Costa Rica stood at 1,820.
That represents a change of down 23.6% on the previous year and up 754.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Costa Rica peaked at 2,381 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 23, in 2012.
That places Costa Rica 97th out of 198 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 226 | — |
| 2001 | 671 | +196.9% |
| 2002 | 1,730 | +157.8% |
| 2003 | 1,468 | -15.1% |
| 2004 | 351 | -76.1% |
| 2005 | 133 | -62.1% |
| 2006 | 74 | -44.4% |
| 2007 | 61 | -17.6% |
| 2008 | 65 | +6.6% |
| 2009 | 76 | +16.9% |
| 2010 | 74 | -2.6% |
| 2011 | 39 | -47.3% |
| 2012 | 23 | -41.0% |
| 2013 | 460 | +1900.0% |
| 2014 | 125 | -72.8% |
| 2015 | 213 | +70.4% |
| 2016 | 312 | +46.5% |
| 2017 | 486 | +55.8% |
| 2018 | 548 | +12.8% |
| 2019 | 739 | +34.9% |
| 2020 | 800 | +8.3% |
| 2021 | 989 | +23.6% |
| 2022 | 1,279 | +29.3% |
| 2023 | 1,684 | +31.7% |
| 2024 | 2,381 | +41.4% |
| 2025 | 1,820 | -23.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 485.5 | 61 | 1,730 | 10 |
| 2010s | 301.9 | 23 | 739 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,492 | 800 | 2,381 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
More social development data for Costa Rica
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 36,395 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 367 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (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 367 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0071 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 Costa Rica?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Costa Rica was 1,820 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 Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 2,381 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 23 in 2012.
- How does Costa Rica rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Costa Rica ranks 97th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is up 754.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Costa Rica 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.