Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in North Korea
North Korea: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 45 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in North Korea, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in North Korea stood at 45.
That represents a change of down 57.1% on the previous year and down 79.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in North Korea peaked at 1,023 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 41, in 2003.
North Korea ranks 169th of 198 countries on this measure, in the bottom 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 North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 50 | — |
| 2001 | 49 | -2.0% |
| 2002 | 70 | +42.9% |
| 2003 | 41 | -41.4% |
| 2004 | 64 | +56.1% |
| 2005 | 67 | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 95 | +41.8% |
| 2007 | 232 | +144.2% |
| 2008 | 213 | -8.2% |
| 2009 | 125 | -41.3% |
| 2010 | 268 | +114.4% |
| 2011 | 550 | +105.2% |
| 2012 | 1,023 | +86.0% |
| 2013 | 940 | -8.1% |
| 2014 | 233 | -75.2% |
| 2015 | 223 | -4.3% |
| 2016 | 526 | +135.9% |
| 2017 | 587 | +11.6% |
| 2018 | 146 | -75.1% |
| 2019 | 112 | -23.3% |
| 2020 | 88 | -21.4% |
| 2021 | 108 | +22.7% |
| 2022 | 127 | +17.6% |
| 2023 | 96 | -24.4% |
| 2024 | 105 | +9.4% |
| 2025 | 45 | -57.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 100.6 | 41 | 232 | 10 |
| 2010s | 460.8 | 112 | 1,023 | 10 |
| 2020s | 94.83 | 45 | 127 | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More social development data for North Korea
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 263 (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 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 263 (2025)
- Sovereign state gleditsch ward, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -7.07 % change on previous year (2025)
- Human Rights Index vs. Electoral Democracy Index 0.024 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in North Korea?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in North Korea was 45 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 North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1,023 in 2012.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 41 in 2003.
- How does North Korea rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- North Korea ranks 169th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 79.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea 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.