Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Africa
South Africa: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 2,575 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Africa, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2,575 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
The figure is down 47.5% on the previous year and up 205.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Africa peaked at 4,907 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 98, in 2000.
That places South Africa 93rd out of 198 countries 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 South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 98 | — |
| 2001 | 178 | +81.6% |
| 2002 | 182 | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 274 | +50.5% |
| 2004 | 542 | +97.8% |
| 2005 | 153 | -71.8% |
| 2006 | 149 | -2.6% |
| 2007 | 108 | -27.5% |
| 2008 | 138 | +27.8% |
| 2009 | 162 | +17.4% |
| 2010 | 210 | +29.6% |
| 2011 | 200 | -4.8% |
| 2012 | 221 | +10.5% |
| 2013 | 352 | +59.3% |
| 2014 | 531 | +50.9% |
| 2015 | 844 | +58.9% |
| 2016 | 1,075 | +27.4% |
| 2017 | 1,608 | +49.6% |
| 2018 | 2,399 | +49.2% |
| 2019 | 2,839 | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 3,230 | +13.8% |
| 2021 | 3,556 | +10.1% |
| 2022 | 3,474 | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 4,163 | +19.8% |
| 2024 | 4,907 | +17.9% |
| 2025 | 2,575 | -47.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 198.4 | 98 | 542 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,028 | 200 | 2,839 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,651 | 2,575 | 4,907 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More social development data for South Africa
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 55,177 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,319 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (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 1,319 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0009 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 South Africa?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Africa was 2,575 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4,907 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 98 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- South Africa ranks 93rd out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 205.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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.