Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Malaysia
Malaysia: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 5,510 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Malaysia, 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 Malaysia is 5,510, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 56.9% on the previous year and up 95.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Malaysia peaked at 21,474 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 112, in 2007.
Malaysia ranks 80th of 198 countries on this measure, 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 240 | — |
| 2001 | 312 | +30.0% |
| 2002 | 480 | +53.8% |
| 2003 | 325 | -32.3% |
| 2004 | 175 | -46.2% |
| 2005 | 184 | +5.1% |
| 2006 | 135 | -26.6% |
| 2007 | 112 | -17.0% |
| 2008 | 128 | +14.3% |
| 2009 | 148 | +15.6% |
| 2010 | 116 | -21.6% |
| 2011 | 136 | +17.2% |
| 2012 | 170 | +25.0% |
| 2013 | 266 | +56.5% |
| 2014 | 948 | +256.4% |
| 2015 | 2,823 | +197.8% |
| 2016 | 6,163 | +118.3% |
| 2017 | 9,478 | +53.8% |
| 2018 | 15,037 | +58.7% |
| 2019 | 21,259 | +41.4% |
| 2020 | 21,474 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 20,855 | -2.9% |
| 2022 | 19,764 | -5.2% |
| 2023 | 18,810 | -4.8% |
| 2024 | 12,779 | -32.1% |
| 2025 | 5,510 | -56.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 223.9 | 112 | 480 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,640 | 116 | 21,259 | 10 |
| 2020s | 16,532 | 5,510 | 21,474 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More social development data for Malaysia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 150,164 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,477 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 4 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,477 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0042 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 Malaysia?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Malaysia was 5,510 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 21,474 in 2020.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 112 in 2007.
- How does Malaysia rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Malaysia ranks 80th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 95.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.