Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in New Zealand
New Zealand: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 43 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in New Zealand, 2001–2025
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 New Zealand is 43, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 59.3% on the previous year and up 514.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in New Zealand peaked at 69 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2009.
New Zealand ranks 171st 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 New Zealand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5 | — |
| 2002 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2010 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 6 | — |
| 2012 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 13 | +116.7% |
| 2015 | 7 | -46.2% |
| 2016 | 18 | +157.1% |
| 2017 | 27 | +50.0% |
| 2018 | 14 | -48.1% |
| 2019 | 27 | +92.9% |
| 2020 | 32 | +18.5% |
| 2021 | 69 | +115.6% |
| 2022 | 32 | -53.6% |
| 2023 | 28 | -12.5% |
| 2024 | 27 | -3.6% |
| 2025 | 43 | +59.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.44 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| 2010s | 12.4 | 0 | 27 | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.5 | 27 | 69 | 6 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
- 168 Denmark 49 compare
- 169 North Korea 45 compare
- 169 United Arab Emirates 45 compare
- 171 Croatia 43 compare
- 173 Oman 42 compare
- 174 Antigua and Barbuda 39 compare
More social development data for New Zealand
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,148 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 58 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (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 58 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0004 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 New Zealand?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in New Zealand was 43 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 69 in 2021.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2009.
- How does New Zealand rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- New Zealand ranks 171st out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 514.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
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.