Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India

India: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 236,763 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
236,763
Change on year
down 6.4%
World rank
31st
of 183 countries
All-time high
262,802
in 1993
All-time low
3,510
in 1981
Years of data
55
1964–2024

Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India, 1964–2024

0100.0k200.0k300.0k196419942024

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India is 236,763, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.4% on the previous year and up 18.4% 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 2024, 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

Annual values for Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India, 1964 to 2024.
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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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 228,050 195,373 252,867 5

Countries ranked near India

  1. 28 Netherlands 263,399 compare
  2. 29 Brazil 257,079 compare
  3. 30 Egypt 238,014 compare
  4. 32 Libya 200,335 compare
  5. 33 Switzerland 196,167 compare
  6. 34 Romania 184,529 compare

See the full ranking of 183 places →

More population data for India

All data for India →

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 236,763 in 2024, 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 2024.
Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in India?
Over the last ten years it is up 18.4%. 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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Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in India. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/refugee-population-by-country-or-territory-of-asylum-2/india/

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About this data

Indicator
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
183 places, 7,465 data points, 1951–2024
Last refreshed