Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 148,616 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Ethiopia, 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 Ethiopia is 148,616, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 6.0% on the previous year and up 93.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Ethiopia peaked at 158,142 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 8,956, in 2002.
Ethiopia ranks 14th of 198 countries on this measure, 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 Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 14,551 | — |
| 2001 | 12,305 | -15.4% |
| 2002 | 8,956 | -27.2% |
| 2003 | 10,805 | +20.6% |
| 2004 | 13,098 | +21.2% |
| 2005 | 16,216 | +23.8% |
| 2006 | 16,670 | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 29,469 | +76.8% |
| 2008 | 31,506 | +6.9% |
| 2009 | 48,733 | +54.7% |
| 2010 | 48,883 | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 38,827 | -20.6% |
| 2012 | 41,902 | +7.9% |
| 2013 | 49,315 | +17.7% |
| 2014 | 61,368 | +24.4% |
| 2015 | 76,680 | +25.0% |
| 2016 | 78,854 | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 133,659 | +69.5% |
| 2018 | 133,254 | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 135,267 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 125,072 | -7.5% |
| 2021 | 139,211 | +11.3% |
| 2022 | 121,362 | -12.8% |
| 2023 | 139,424 | +14.9% |
| 2024 | 158,142 | +13.4% |
| 2025 | 148,616 | -6.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 20,231 | 8,956 | 48,733 | 10 |
| 2010s | 79,801 | 38,827 | 135,267 | 10 |
| 2020s | 138,638 | 121,362 | 158,142 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
- 11 Honduras 168,464 compare
- 12 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 168,421 compare
- 13 Syrian Arab Republic 154,355 compare
- 15 Guatemala 138,420 compare
- 16 South Sudan 123,984 compare
- 17 Ecuador 122,060 compare
More social development data for Ethiopia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.01 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 164,215 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 6 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0012 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 164,215 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0075 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 Ethiopia?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Ethiopia was 148,616 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 Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 158,142 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,956 in 2002.
- How does Ethiopia rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Ethiopia ranks 14th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 93.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia 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.