Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia
Australia: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 29,511 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
29,511
Change on year
down 14.5%
World rank
74th
of 183 countries
All-time high
317,000
in 1981
All-time low
20,915
in 2008
Years of data
54
1951–2024
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia, 1951–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia is 29,511, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 14.5% on the previous year and down 17.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia peaked at 317,000 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 20,915, in 2008.
That places Australia 74th out of 183 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 180,000 | — |
| 1965 | 40,000 | -77.8% |
| 1966 | 40,000 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 44,000 | +10.0% |
| 1968 | 43,000 | -2.3% |
| 1969 | 42,000 | -2.3% |
| 1970 | 42,000 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 304,000 | +623.8% |
| 1979 | 304,000 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 304,000 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 317,000 | +4.3% |
| 1982 | 317,000 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 317,000 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 89,000 | -71.9% |
| 1985 | 89,000 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 85,900 | -3.5% |
| 1987 | 87,600 | +2.0% |
| 1988 | 90,970 | +3.8% |
| 1989 | 97,915 | +7.6% |
| 1990 | 97,915 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 53,117 | -45.8% |
| 1992 | 52,604 | -1.0% |
| 1993 | 53,505 | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 57,575 | +7.6% |
| 1995 | 62,145 | +7.9% |
| 1996 | 67,298 | +8.3% |
| 1997 | 66,056 | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 69,714 | +5.5% |
| 1999 | 64,879 | -6.9% |
| 2000 | 60,219 | -7.2% |
| 2001 | 57,885 | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 59,422 | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 56,242 | -5.4% |
| 2004 | 63,478 | +12.9% |
| 2005 | 64,955 | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 68,942 | +6.1% |
| 2007 | 22,161 | -67.9% |
| 2008 | 20,915 | -5.6% |
| 2009 | 22,543 | +7.8% |
| 2010 | 21,790 | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 23,423 | +7.5% |
| 2012 | 30,056 | +28.3% |
| 2013 | 34,485 | +14.7% |
| 2014 | 35,565 | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 36,917 | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 42,187 | +14.3% |
| 2017 | 48,480 | +14.9% |
| 2018 | 56,934 | +17.4% |
| 2019 | 58,529 | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 57,411 | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 55,606 | -3.1% |
| 2022 | 54,430 | -2.1% |
| 2023 | 34,502 | -36.6% |
| 2024 | 29,511 | -14.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 180,000 | 180,000 | 180,000 | 1 |
| 1960s | 41,800 | 40,000 | 44,000 | 5 |
| 1970s | 216,667 | 42,000 | 304,000 | 3 |
| 1980s | 179,538 | 85,900 | 317,000 | 10 |
| 1990s | 64,481 | 52,604 | 97,915 | 10 |
| 2000s | 49,676 | 20,915 | 68,942 | 10 |
| 2010s | 38,837 | 21,790 | 58,529 | 10 |
| 2020s | 46,292 | 29,511 | 57,411 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More population data for Australia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5755 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2553 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 32,193 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8589 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.2773 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.503 (2100)
- Population density 5.61 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 2.09 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Australia was 29,511 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 317,000 in 1981.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 20,915 in 2008.
- How does Australia rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- Australia ranks 74th out of 183 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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