China vs Sri Lanka: Refugee population by country or territory of origin
China
153,962
in 2025
Sri Lanka
148,369
in 2025
China rank
22nd
Sri Lanka rank
24th
Refugee population by country or territory of origin over time
- China
- Sri Lanka
How they compare
China currently reports 153,962 against 148,369 in Sri Lanka, a difference of 5,593.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 41 shared years of data; in 1985 it was Sri Lanka ahead.
China ranks 22nd and Sri Lanka ranks 24th of 205 countries.
Across the 5 decades both report, China averaged higher in 3 and Sri Lanka in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Sri Lanka | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 196 | 2,355 | 2,159 | Sri Lanka |
| 1990s | 85,000 | 132,314 | 47,313 | Sri Lanka |
| 2000s | 139,704 | 125,934 | 13,770 | China |
| 2010s | 202,763 | 123,428 | 79,335 | China |
| 2020s | 162,507 | 147,107 | 15,400 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher refugee population by country or territory of origin, China or Sri Lanka?
- China, at 153,962 against 148,369 in Sri Lanka as of 2025.
- What is the difference in refugee population by country or territory of origin between China and Sri Lanka?
- 5,593, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Sri Lanka?
- 41 years are reported by both, from 1985 to 2025.
- How do China and Sri Lanka rank globally for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- China ranks 22nd and Sri Lanka ranks 24th of 205 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.