Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)
Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries): Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 3.02 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries), 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) recorded 3.02 million for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
That represents a change of down 15.0% on the previous year and up 1,624.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) peaked at 3.55 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 32,946, in 2012.
Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 12th of 47 groups on this measure, 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 Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries), year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 337,052 | — |
| 2001 | 347,470 | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 348,338 | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 307,072 | -11.8% |
| 2004 | 224,343 | -26.9% |
| 2005 | 136,622 | -39.1% |
| 2006 | 104,540 | -23.5% |
| 2007 | 111,029 | +6.2% |
| 2008 | 113,203 | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 129,106 | +14.0% |
| 2010 | 90,627 | -29.8% |
| 2011 | 63,984 | -29.4% |
| 2012 | 32,946 | -48.5% |
| 2013 | 66,615 | +102.2% |
| 2014 | 102,542 | +53.9% |
| 2015 | 175,131 | +70.8% |
| 2016 | 316,070 | +80.5% |
| 2017 | 579,173 | +83.2% |
| 2018 | 996,378 | +72.0% |
| 2019 | 1.54 million | +54.1% |
| 2020 | 1.69 million | +9.8% |
| 2021 | 2.04 million | +21.1% |
| 2022 | 2.52 million | +23.6% |
| 2023 | 3.00 million | +18.8% |
| 2024 | 3.55 million | +18.6% |
| 2025 | 3.02 million | -15.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 215,878 | 104,540 | 348,338 | 10 |
| 2010s | 395,917 | 32,946 | 1.54 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.64 million | 1.69 million | 3.55 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)
More social development data for Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 539,961 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 985,489 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0015 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 985,489 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0008 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 539,961 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.07 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
All data for Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) →
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) was 3.02 million 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 Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The highest recorded value was 3.55 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The lowest recorded value was 32,946 in 2012.
- How does Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 12th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,624.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries) 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.