Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iraq
Iraq: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 96,887 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iraq, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Iraq recorded 96,887 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
The figure is down 36.1% on the previous year and down 59.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iraq peaked at 302,731 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 22,372, in 2009.
That places Iraq 23rd 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 Iraq, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 40,630 | — |
| 2001 | 34,826 | -14.3% |
| 2002 | 29,641 | -14.9% |
| 2003 | 31,591 | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 30,619 | -3.1% |
| 2005 | 34,438 | +12.5% |
| 2006 | 47,294 | +37.3% |
| 2007 | 27,667 | -41.5% |
| 2008 | 25,654 | -7.3% |
| 2009 | 22,372 | -12.8% |
| 2010 | 29,939 | +33.8% |
| 2011 | 24,485 | -18.2% |
| 2012 | 24,239 | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 43,145 | +78.0% |
| 2014 | 103,724 | +140.4% |
| 2015 | 237,168 | +128.7% |
| 2016 | 278,367 | +17.4% |
| 2017 | 272,627 | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 256,716 | -5.8% |
| 2019 | 302,731 | +17.9% |
| 2020 | 272,567 | -10.0% |
| 2021 | 254,454 | -6.6% |
| 2022 | 228,961 | -10.0% |
| 2023 | 192,202 | -16.1% |
| 2024 | 151,623 | -21.1% |
| 2025 | 96,887 | -36.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 32,473 | 22,372 | 47,294 | 10 |
| 2010s | 157,314 | 24,239 | 302,731 | 10 |
| 2020s | 199,449 | 96,887 | 272,567 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 20 Peru 113,900 compare
- 21 El Salvador 108,289 compare
- 22 China 99,716 compare
- 24 Bangladesh 92,441 compare
- 25 Russian Federation 88,310 compare
- 26 Central African Republic 82,600 compare
More social development data for Iraq
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 322,345 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 270,671 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 5 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0058 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 270,671 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0069 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 Iraq?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Iraq was 96,887 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 Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 302,731 in 2019.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 22,372 in 2009.
- How does Iraq rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Iraq ranks 23rd out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 59.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq 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.