Refugees by country of asylum — all countries

Refugees by country of asylum — United Kingdom

Refugees by country of asylum in the United Kingdom in 2024 — 515,677 people. Ranked 16 in the world out of 178. Since 1951, the indicator has risen by 147.9%.

2024 515,677 people +14.95% vs 2023
World rank 16of 178
Period maximum 515,677 people2024
Period minimum 39,755 people1988

Trend over time

1951–2024 · people

Refugees by country of asylum — United Kingdom, 1951–20240200,000400,000600,00019511959196719751983199119992007201520231951: 208,000 people1953: 192,000 people1955: 175,000 people1957: 179,000 people1959: 170,000 people1961: 164,000 people1963: 157,000 people1965: 170,000 people1967: 164,000 people1969: 162,000 people1971: 150,000 people1973: 150,000 people1975: 153,000 people1977: 148,000 people1979: 146,000 people1981: 146,000 people1983: 140,000 people1985: 135,000 people1987: 100,000 people1989: 46,014 people1991: 43,368 people1993: 80,230 people1995: 90,908 people1997: 107,933 people1999: 148,921 people2001: 233,389 people2003: 276,482 people2005: 303,163 people2007: 299,696 people2009: 269,350 people2011: 193,489 people2013: 126,036 people2015: 123,051 people2017: 121,821 people2019: 133,083 people2021: 137,078 people2023: 448,620 people2024: 515,677 people
Change over the period: +307,677 (+147.92%) Average annual rate: 1.25 %

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: United Kingdom

United Kingdom 515,677 people
World computed 30.92M people
Europe & Central Asia computed 12.09M people
Northern Europe computed 1.27M people
High-income countries computed 9.3M people
Refugees by country of asylum — United Kingdom, by year United Kingdom All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2024 515,677 +67,057 +14.95%
2023 448,620 +119,631 +36.36%
2022 328,989 +191,911 +140%
2021 137,078 +4,774 +3.61%
2020 132,304 −779 −0.59%
2019 133,083 +6,375 +5.03%
2018 126,708 +4,887 +4.01%
2017 121,821 +2,848 +2.39%
2016 118,973 −4,078 −3.31%
2015 123,051 +5,825 +4.97%
2014 117,226 −8,810 −6.99%
2013 126,036 −23,746 −15.85%
2012 149,782 −43,707 −22.59%
2011 193,489 −44,639 −18.75%
2010 238,128 −31,222 −11.59%
2009 269,350 −22,726 −7.78%
2008 292,076 −7,620 −2.54%
2007 299,696 −1,841 −0.61%
2006 301,537 −1,626 −0.54%
2005 303,163 +4,337 +1.45%
2004 298,826 +22,344 +8.08%
2003 276,482 +15,795 +6.06%
2002 260,687 +27,298 +11.7%
2001 233,389 +47,142 +25.31%
2000 186,247 +37,326 +25.06%
1999 148,921 +27,206 +22.35%
1998 121,715 +13,782 +12.77%
1997 107,933 +9,356 +9.49%
1996 98,577 +7,669 +8.44%
1995 90,908 +5,749 +6.75%
1994 85,159 +4,929 +6.14%
1993 80,230 +15,513 +23.97%
1992 64,717 +21,349 +49.23%
1991 43,368 −257 −0.59%
1990 43,625 −2,389 −5.19%
1989 46,014 +6,259 +15.74%
1988 39,755 −60,245 −60.25%
1987 100,000 +0 +0%
1986 100,000 −35,000 −25.93%
1985 135,000 +0 +0%
1984 135,000 −5,000 −3.57%
1983 140,000 −3,000 −2.1%
1982 143,000 −3,000 −2.05%
1981 146,000 −2,000 −1.35%
1980 148,000 +2,000 +1.37%
1979 146,000 −4,000 −2.67%
1978 150,000 +2,000 +1.35%
1977 148,000 −5,000 −3.27%
1976 153,000 +0 +0%
1975 153,000 −2,500 −1.61%
1974 155,500 +5,500 +3.67%
1973 150,000 +0 +0%
1972 150,000 +0 +0%
1971 150,000 −12,000 −7.41%
1970 162,000 +0 +0%
1969 162,000 +1,000 +0.62%
1968 161,000 −3,000 −1.83%
1967 164,000 −3,000 −1.8%
1966 167,000 −3,000 −1.76%
1965 170,000 +10,000 +6.25%
1964 160,000 +3,000 +1.91%
1963 157,000 −3,000 −1.88%
1962 160,000 −4,000 −2.44%
1961 164,000 −3,000 −1.8%
1960 167,000 −3,000 −1.76%
1959 170,000 −5,000 −2.86%
1958 175,000 −4,000 −2.23%
1957 179,000 −3,000 −1.65%
1956 182,000 +7,000 +4%
1955 175,000 −7,000 −3.85%
1954 182,000 −10,000 −5.21%
1953 192,000 −8,000 −4%
1952 200,000 −8,000 −3.85%
1951 208,000

About the indicator

The number of refugees present in a country, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A refugee is a person who has received protection outside their country of origin; the indicator covers both those recognized individually and those recognized on a group basis in situations of mass exodus. The series has been kept since 1951, that is since the adoption of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Important: This is the receiving side. It is not to be confused with the number of refugees FROM a country — that is a separate indicator, and the difference between the two shows whether a country hosts forced migration or produces it.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Statistics, license CC BY 4.0.