Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in OECD members
OECD members: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 694,393 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in OECD members, 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 OECD members stood at 694,393.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 13.8% on the previous year and up 897.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in OECD members peaked at 805,538 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 33,815, in 2000.
OECD members ranks 27th of 45 groups 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 OECD members, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 33,815 | — |
| 2001 | 60,398 | +78.6% |
| 2002 | 76,053 | +25.9% |
| 2003 | 65,813 | -13.5% |
| 2004 | 50,295 | -23.6% |
| 2005 | 47,341 | -5.9% |
| 2006 | 49,582 | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 70,691 | +42.6% |
| 2008 | 84,059 | +18.9% |
| 2009 | 102,925 | +22.4% |
| 2010 | 85,928 | -16.5% |
| 2011 | 64,534 | -24.9% |
| 2012 | 37,879 | -41.3% |
| 2013 | 43,358 | +14.5% |
| 2014 | 48,140 | +11.0% |
| 2015 | 69,599 | +44.6% |
| 2016 | 106,036 | +52.4% |
| 2017 | 160,862 | +51.7% |
| 2018 | 188,204 | +17.0% |
| 2019 | 235,324 | +25.0% |
| 2020 | 238,572 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 263,939 | +10.6% |
| 2022 | 377,705 | +43.1% |
| 2023 | 646,529 | +71.2% |
| 2024 | 805,538 | +24.6% |
| 2025 | 694,393 | -13.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 64,097 | 33,815 | 102,925 | 10 |
| 2010s | 103,986 | 37,879 | 235,324 | 10 |
| 2020s | 504,446 | 238,572 | 805,538 | 6 |
Countries ranked near OECD members
- 24 Bangladesh 92,441 compare
- 25 Russian Federation 88,310 compare
- 26 Central African Republic 82,600 compare
- 27 Burkina Faso 69,817 compare
- 28 Myanmar 67,824 compare
- 29 Brazil 66,672 compare
- 30 Pakistan 65,065 compare
More social development data for OECD members
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -2.76 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 289,139 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0084 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0002 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 289,139 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11.80 million (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 11.80 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5 % 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 OECD members?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in OECD members was 694,393 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 OECD members?
- The highest recorded value was 805,538 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in OECD members?
- The lowest recorded value was 33,815 in 2000.
- How does OECD members rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- OECD members ranks 27th out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in OECD members?
- Over the last ten years it is up 897.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this OECD members 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.