Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa

South Africa: Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum was 156.72 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
156.72
Change on year
up 14.0%
World rank
38th
of 181 countries
All-time high
1,932
in 2015
All-time low
23.99
in 2001
Years of data
25
2000–2024

Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa, 2000–2024

05001.0k1.5k2.0k2000201220242000: 32.12001: 242002: 109.22003: 173.42004: 235.22005: 283.12006: 262.22007: 338.22008: 444.32009: 598.92010: 3282011: 413.92012: 428.42013: 433.92014: 834.42015: 1.9k2016: 381.22017: 3322018: 314.32019: 315.92020: 286.42021: 272.22022: 135.22023: 137.52024: 156.7

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2024, asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa stood at 156.72.

The figure is up 14.0% on the previous year and down 81.2% 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 38th 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

Annual values for Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa, 2000 to 2024.
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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 250.06 23.99 598.88 10
2010s 571.42 314.25 1,932 10
2020s 197.6 135.17 286.42 5

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 35 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 180.48 compare
  2. 36 Panama 180.33 compare
  3. 37 Türkiye 176.15 compare
  4. 39 Central African Republic 155.14 compare
  5. 40 Malaysia 148.85 compare
  6. 41 Mauritania 137.04 compare

See the full ranking of 181 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa?
Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa was 156.72 in 2024, 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 38th out of 181 countries with data for 2024.
Is asylum seekers refugees country of asylum rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 81.2%. 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.

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Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/asylum-seekers-refugees-country-of-asylum/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Asylum seekers refugees country of asylum
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
181 places, 4,083 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed