Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa
South Africa: Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum was 127.2 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa, 2000–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa stood at 127.2.
The figure is down 18.8% on the previous year and down 93.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa peaked at 1,932 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 23.99, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 40th of 181 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 refugees country of asylum in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 32.1 | — |
| 2001 | 23.99 | -25.3% |
| 2002 | 109.22 | +355.2% |
| 2003 | 173.38 | +58.7% |
| 2004 | 235.19 | +35.7% |
| 2005 | 283.08 | +20.4% |
| 2006 | 262.22 | -7.4% |
| 2007 | 338.15 | +29.0% |
| 2008 | 444.34 | +31.4% |
| 2009 | 598.88 | +34.8% |
| 2010 | 328.03 | -45.2% |
| 2011 | 413.89 | +26.2% |
| 2012 | 428.43 | +3.5% |
| 2013 | 433.86 | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 834.45 | +92.3% |
| 2015 | 1,932 | +131.6% |
| 2016 | 381.2 | -80.3% |
| 2017 | 331.97 | -12.9% |
| 2018 | 314.25 | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 315.89 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 286.42 | -9.3% |
| 2021 | 272.2 | -5.0% |
| 2022 | 135.17 | -50.3% |
| 2023 | 137.49 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 156.72 | +14.0% |
| 2025 | 127.2 | -18.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 127.2 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6.39, 19.9× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 127.2 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 44.62, 2.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | +355.2% | 23.99 | 109.22 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 250.06 | 23.99 | 598.88 | 10 |
| 2010s | 571.42 | 314.25 | 1,932 | 10 |
| 2020s | 185.87 | 127.2 | 286.42 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa?
- Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa was 127.2 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest asylum seekers refugees country of asylum recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,932 in 2015.
- What is the lowest asylum seekers refugees country of asylum recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.99 in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for asylum seekers refugees country of asylum?
- South Africa ranks 40th out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum seekers refugees country of asylum rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 93.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).