Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India

India: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 181,121 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
181,121
Change on year
down 10.7%
World rank
10th
of 198 countries
All-time high
202,933
in 2024
All-time low
3,856
in 2010
Years of data
26
2000–2025

Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India, 2000–2025

050.0k100.0k150.0k200.0k2000201220252000: 9.8k2001: 9.7k2002: 11.1k2003: 11.5k2004: 11.7k2005: 12.2k2006: 6.7k2007: 7.1k2008: 6.9k2009: 4.7k2010: 3.9k2011: 4.3k2012: 6.7k2013: 12.5k2014: 16.7k2015: 24.9k2016: 27.9k2017: 40.4k2018: 51.8k2019: 66.0k2020: 70.0k2021: 78.4k2022: 100.4k2023: 142.6k2024: 202.9k2025: 181.1k

Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Analysis

In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India stood at 181,121.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.7% on the previous year and up 628.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India peaked at 202,933 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 3,856, in 2010.

That places India 10th 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 India, year by year

Annual values for Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India, 2000 to 2025.
Year Value Change
2000 9,786
2001 9,748 -0.4%
2002 11,060 +13.5%
2003 11,456 +3.6%
2004 11,708 +2.2%
2005 12,169 +3.9%
2006 6,745 -44.6%
2007 7,077 +4.9%
2008 6,867 -3.0%
2009 4,709 -31.4%
2010 3,856 -18.1%
2011 4,347 +12.7%
2012 6,654 +53.1%
2013 12,471 +87.4%
2014 16,698 +33.9%
2015 24,874 +49.0%
2016 27,939 +12.3%
2017 40,356 +44.4%
2018 51,802 +28.4%
2019 65,965 +27.3%
2020 69,959 +6.1%
2021 78,360 +12.0%
2022 100,389 +28.1%
2023 142,607 +42.1%
2024 202,933 +42.3%
2025 181,121 -10.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 9,132 4,709 12,169 10
2010s 25,496 3,856 65,965 10
2020s 129,228 69,959 202,933 6

Countries ranked near India

  1. 7 Mexico 236,812 compare
  2. 8 Haiti 236,318 compare
  3. 9 Somalia 236,269 compare
  4. 11 Honduras 168,464 compare
  5. 12 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 168,421 compare
  6. 13 Syrian Arab Republic 154,355 compare

See the full ranking of 245 places →

More social development data for India

All data for India →

Frequently asked questions

What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India?
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India was 181,121 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 India?
The highest recorded value was 202,933 in 2024.
What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in India?
The lowest recorded value was 3,856 in 2010.
How does India rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
India ranks 10th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in India?
Over the last ten years it is up 628.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this India 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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Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in India. Statizoid, drawing on Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://social-development.statizoid.com/stat/asylum-seekers-by-country-or-territory-of-origin/india/

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About this data

Indicator
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin
Source
Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
245 places, 6,098 data points, 2000–2025
Last refreshed

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.