Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in East Asia & Pacific
East Asia & Pacific: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 225,091 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in East Asia & Pacific, 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 East Asia & Pacific stood at 225,091.
The figure is down 32.5% on the previous year and up 65.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in East Asia & Pacific peaked at 333,637 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 28,835, in 2000.
That places East Asia & Pacific 36th out of 45 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom 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 East Asia & Pacific, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 28,835 | — |
| 2001 | 36,010 | +24.9% |
| 2002 | 42,680 | +18.5% |
| 2003 | 46,232 | +8.3% |
| 2004 | 40,883 | -11.6% |
| 2005 | 70,708 | +73.0% |
| 2006 | 53,340 | -24.6% |
| 2007 | 43,358 | -18.7% |
| 2008 | 50,822 | +17.2% |
| 2009 | 49,076 | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 35,514 | -27.6% |
| 2011 | 40,602 | +14.3% |
| 2012 | 46,531 | +14.6% |
| 2013 | 77,721 | +67.0% |
| 2014 | 110,393 | +42.0% |
| 2015 | 136,405 | +23.6% |
| 2016 | 152,921 | +12.1% |
| 2017 | 170,536 | +11.5% |
| 2018 | 163,946 | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 193,987 | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 204,990 | +5.7% |
| 2021 | 221,885 | +8.2% |
| 2022 | 230,555 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 263,004 | +14.1% |
| 2024 | 333,637 | +26.9% |
| 2025 | 225,091 | -32.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 46,194 | 28,835 | 70,708 | 10 |
| 2010s | 112,856 | 35,514 | 193,987 | 10 |
| 2020s | 246,527 | 204,990 | 333,637 | 6 |
Countries ranked near East Asia & Pacific
More social development data for East Asia & Pacific
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 333,267 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.73 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0007 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.73 million (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.33 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 333,267 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 13.36 % 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 East Asia & Pacific?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in East Asia & Pacific was 225,091 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 East Asia & Pacific?
- The highest recorded value was 333,637 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in East Asia & Pacific?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,835 in 2000.
- How does East Asia & Pacific rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- East Asia & Pacific ranks 36th out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in East Asia & Pacific?
- Over the last ten years it is up 65.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this East Asia & Pacific 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.