Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 33,564 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Sri Lanka, 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 Sri Lanka stood at 33,564. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 127.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Sri Lanka peaked at 33,564 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2,966, in 2003.
Sri Lanka ranks 38th of 198 countries on this measure, in the top 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 Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6,499 | — |
| 2001 | 6,596 | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 4,935 | -25.2% |
| 2003 | 2,966 | -39.9% |
| 2004 | 3,114 | +5.0% |
| 2005 | 4,242 | +36.2% |
| 2006 | 4,724 | +11.4% |
| 2007 | 5,974 | +26.5% |
| 2008 | 7,037 | +17.8% |
| 2009 | 7,566 | +7.5% |
| 2010 | 8,588 | +13.5% |
| 2011 | 10,239 | +19.2% |
| 2012 | 14,018 | +36.9% |
| 2013 | 16,133 | +15.1% |
| 2014 | 17,211 | +6.7% |
| 2015 | 14,782 | -14.1% |
| 2016 | 15,462 | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 18,934 | +22.5% |
| 2018 | 14,517 | -23.3% |
| 2019 | 16,062 | +10.6% |
| 2020 | 15,061 | -6.2% |
| 2021 | 12,209 | -18.9% |
| 2022 | 15,169 | +24.2% |
| 2023 | 18,076 | +19.2% |
| 2024 | 33,347 | +84.5% |
| 2025 | 33,564 | +0.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5,365 | 2,966 | 7,566 | 10 |
| 2010s | 14,595 | 8,588 | 18,934 | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,238 | 12,209 | 33,564 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More social development data for Sri Lanka
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 213 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 148,369 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 3 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 3 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0068 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 148,369 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Sri Lanka?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Sri Lanka was 33,564 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 33,564 in 2025.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,966 in 2003.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Sri Lanka ranks 38th out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 127.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.