Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iran
Iran: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 49,263 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iran, 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 Iran is 49,263, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 19.5% on the previous year and down 13.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iran peaked at 87,535 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 9,519, in 2004.
That places Iran 34th out of 198 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 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 Iran, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20,622 | — |
| 2001 | 14,138 | -31.4% |
| 2002 | 13,180 | -6.8% |
| 2003 | 11,359 | -13.8% |
| 2004 | 9,519 | -16.2% |
| 2005 | 12,879 | +35.3% |
| 2006 | 13,707 | +6.4% |
| 2007 | 10,374 | -24.3% |
| 2008 | 11,148 | +7.5% |
| 2009 | 13,734 | +23.2% |
| 2010 | 16,055 | +16.9% |
| 2011 | 18,450 | +14.9% |
| 2012 | 24,043 | +30.3% |
| 2013 | 28,780 | +19.7% |
| 2014 | 34,884 | +21.2% |
| 2015 | 57,081 | +63.6% |
| 2016 | 87,535 | +53.4% |
| 2017 | 75,079 | -14.2% |
| 2018 | 87,367 | +16.4% |
| 2019 | 86,093 | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 77,229 | -10.3% |
| 2021 | 68,940 | -10.7% |
| 2022 | 69,237 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 63,959 | -7.6% |
| 2024 | 61,176 | -4.4% |
| 2025 | 49,263 | -19.5% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 49,263 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4,212, 11.7× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Iran's 49,263 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 10,338, 4.8× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13,066 | 9,519 | 20,622 | 10 |
| 2010s | 51,537 | 16,055 | 87,535 | 10 |
| 2020s | 64,967 | 49,263 | 77,229 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More social development data for Iran
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 770,514 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 157,912 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0017 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 157,912 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0083 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 Iran?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iran was 49,263 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 Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 87,535 in 2016.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 9,519 in 2004.
- How does Iran rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Iran ranks 34th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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.