Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India
India: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 238,643 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India, 1964–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India is 238,643, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 18.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India peaked at 262,802 in 1993 and was at its lowest, 3,510, in 1981.
That places India 31st out of 183 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
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 India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 44,000 | — |
| 1965 | 45,000 | +2.3% |
| 1966 | 45,000 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 50,000 | +11.1% |
| 1968 | 55,000 | +10.0% |
| 1969 | 56,150 | +2.1% |
| 1970 | 56,500 | +0.6% |
| 1971 | 56,180 | -0.6% |
| 1972 | 57,680 | +2.7% |
| 1973 | 58,840 | +2.0% |
| 1974 | 59,900 | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 3,510 | -94.1% |
| 1982 | 5,010 | +42.7% |
| 1983 | 6,930 | +38.3% |
| 1984 | 7,200 | +3.9% |
| 1985 | 6,720 | -6.7% |
| 1986 | 6,440 | -4.2% |
| 1987 | 6,720 | +4.3% |
| 1988 | 6,645 | -1.1% |
| 1989 | 9,549 | +43.7% |
| 1990 | 212,743 | +2127.9% |
| 1991 | 210,569 | -1.0% |
| 1992 | 258,372 | +22.7% |
| 1993 | 262,802 | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 258,342 | -1.7% |
| 1995 | 227,481 | -11.9% |
| 1996 | 233,371 | +2.6% |
| 1997 | 223,072 | -4.4% |
| 1998 | 185,516 | -16.8% |
| 1999 | 180,031 | -3.0% |
| 2000 | 170,940 | -5.0% |
| 2001 | 169,548 | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 168,853 | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 164,754 | -2.4% |
| 2004 | 162,683 | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 139,284 | -14.4% |
| 2006 | 158,358 | +13.7% |
| 2007 | 161,534 | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 184,539 | +14.2% |
| 2009 | 185,318 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 184,814 | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 185,118 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 185,644 | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 188,391 | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 199,931 | +6.1% |
| 2015 | 201,379 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 197,848 | -1.8% |
| 2017 | 197,142 | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 195,887 | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 195,103 | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 195,373 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 212,413 | +8.7% |
| 2022 | 242,835 | +14.3% |
| 2023 | 252,867 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 236,763 | -6.4% |
| 2025 | 238,643 | +0.8% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 238,643 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8,620, 27.7× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | +2127.9% | 9,549 | 212,743 |
| 1981 | -94.1% | 59,900 | 3,510 |
| 1989 | +43.7% | 6,645 | 9,549 |
| 1982 | +42.7% | 3,510 | 5,010 |
| 1983 | +38.3% | 5,010 | 6,930 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 49,192 | 44,000 | 56,150 | 6 |
| 1970s | 57,820 | 56,180 | 59,900 | 5 |
| 1980s | 6,525 | 3,510 | 9,549 | 9 |
| 1990s | 225,230 | 180,031 | 262,802 | 10 |
| 2000s | 166,581 | 139,284 | 185,318 | 10 |
| 2010s | 193,126 | 184,814 | 201,379 | 10 |
| 2020s | 229,816 | 195,373 | 252,867 | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
More population data for India
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.2494 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.4607 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1.67 million Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.7665 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7604 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.512 (2100)
- Population density 506.27 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 66.77 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India was 238,643 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 262,802 in 1993.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,510 in 1981.
- How does India rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- India ranks 31st out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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.
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