Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 2.94 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Least developed countries, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Least developed countries recorded 2.94 million for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 5.8% on the previous year and up 247.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Least developed countries peaked at 2.94 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 192,186, in 2000.
That places Least developed countries 13th out of 45 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
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 Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 192,186 | — |
| 2001 | 211,792 | +10.2% |
| 2002 | 236,757 | +11.8% |
| 2003 | 221,441 | -6.5% |
| 2004 | 222,578 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 284,401 | +27.8% |
| 2006 | 197,589 | -30.5% |
| 2007 | 220,848 | +11.8% |
| 2008 | 234,917 | +6.4% |
| 2009 | 230,093 | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 263,431 | +14.5% |
| 2011 | 293,958 | +11.6% |
| 2012 | 366,611 | +24.7% |
| 2013 | 479,850 | +30.9% |
| 2014 | 575,734 | +20.0% |
| 2015 | 847,497 | +47.2% |
| 2016 | 1.01 million | +19.8% |
| 2017 | 1.24 million | +22.4% |
| 2018 | 1.20 million | -3.4% |
| 2019 | 1.17 million | -2.3% |
| 2020 | 1.17 million | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 1.31 million | +11.2% |
| 2022 | 1.38 million | +5.5% |
| 2023 | 1.97 million | +43.2% |
| 2024 | 2.78 million | +41.0% |
| 2025 | 2.94 million | +5.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 225,260 | 192,186 | 284,401 | 10 |
| 2010s | 745,622 | 263,431 | 1.24 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.93 million | 1.17 million | 2.94 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 10 India 181,121 compare
- 11 Honduras 168,464 compare
- 12 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 168,421 compare
- 13 Syrian Arab Republic 154,355 compare
- 14 Ethiopia 148,616 compare
- 15 Guatemala 138,420 compare
- 16 South Sudan 123,984 compare
More social development data for Least developed countries
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.39 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 14.87 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0122 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 14.87 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0077 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 12.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9.39 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -9.25 % change on previous year (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 Least developed countries?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Least developed countries was 2.94 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 Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 2.94 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 192,186 in 2000.
- How does Least developed countries rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Least developed countries ranks 13th out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is up 247.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Least developed 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.