Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Asia
South Asia: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 321,786 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Asia, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
South Asia recorded 321,786 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.7% on the previous year and up 305.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Asia peaked at 364,584 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 16,914, in 2009.
That places South Asia 32nd 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 South Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20,097 | — |
| 2001 | 20,403 | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 21,483 | +5.3% |
| 2003 | 23,661 | +10.1% |
| 2004 | 25,957 | +9.7% |
| 2005 | 30,089 | +15.9% |
| 2006 | 19,355 | -35.7% |
| 2007 | 24,153 | +24.8% |
| 2008 | 23,804 | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 16,914 | -28.9% |
| 2010 | 21,105 | +24.8% |
| 2011 | 22,842 | +8.2% |
| 2012 | 31,475 | +37.8% |
| 2013 | 55,425 | +76.1% |
| 2014 | 62,352 | +12.5% |
| 2015 | 79,412 | +27.4% |
| 2016 | 81,173 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 141,028 | +73.7% |
| 2018 | 134,661 | -4.5% |
| 2019 | 155,251 | +15.3% |
| 2020 | 160,399 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 167,901 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | 190,347 | +13.4% |
| 2023 | 254,251 | +33.6% |
| 2024 | 364,584 | +43.4% |
| 2025 | 321,786 | -11.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22,592 | 16,914 | 30,089 | 10 |
| 2010s | 78,472 | 21,105 | 155,251 | 10 |
| 2020s | 243,211 | 160,399 | 364,584 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More social development data for South Asia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.44 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 238,179 (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 238,179 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0008 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 13.81 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.44 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3.48 % 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 South Asia?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in South Asia was 321,786 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 Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 364,584 in 2024.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 16,914 in 2009.
- How does South Asia rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- South Asia ranks 32nd out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 305.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia 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 — 26 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.