Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Europe & Central Asia
Europe & Central Asia: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 361,129 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Europe & Central Asia, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Europe & Central Asia recorded 361,129 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 29.3% on the previous year and up 61.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Europe & Central Asia peaked at 510,823 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 56,960, in 2004.
That places Europe & Central Asia 29th out of 47 groups 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 Europe & Central Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 104,643 | — |
| 2001 | 126,794 | +21.2% |
| 2002 | 99,460 | -21.6% |
| 2003 | 81,858 | -17.7% |
| 2004 | 56,960 | -30.4% |
| 2005 | 72,455 | +27.2% |
| 2006 | 83,106 | +14.7% |
| 2007 | 64,698 | -22.2% |
| 2008 | 63,513 | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 62,899 | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 65,737 | +4.5% |
| 2011 | 64,937 | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 76,372 | +17.6% |
| 2013 | 115,169 | +50.8% |
| 2014 | 157,272 | +36.6% |
| 2015 | 223,450 | +42.1% |
| 2016 | 210,933 | -5.6% |
| 2017 | 218,999 | +3.8% |
| 2018 | 233,058 | +6.4% |
| 2019 | 229,855 | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 205,067 | -10.8% |
| 2021 | 215,508 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | 335,660 | +55.8% |
| 2023 | 476,226 | +41.9% |
| 2024 | 510,823 | +7.3% |
| 2025 | 361,129 | -29.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 81,639 | 56,960 | 126,794 | 10 |
| 2010s | 159,578 | 64,937 | 233,058 | 10 |
| 2020s | 350,736 | 205,067 | 510,823 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Europe & Central Asia
More social development data for Europe & Central Asia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11.50 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5.79 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0062 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5.79 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0123 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 -5.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11.50 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.58 % 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 Europe & Central Asia?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Europe & Central Asia was 361,129 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 Europe & Central Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 510,823 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Europe & Central Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 56,960 in 2004.
- How does Europe & Central Asia rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Europe & Central Asia ranks 29th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Europe & Central Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 61.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Europe & Central Asia 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.