Refugees by country of asylum in Malaysia
Malaysia: Refugees by country of asylum was 138,417 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of asylum in Malaysia, 1977–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Malaysia recorded 138,417 people for refugees by country of asylum in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.9% on the previous year and up 39.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of asylum in Malaysia peaked at 141,580 people in 1978 and was at its lowest, 145 people, in 1993.
Malaysia ranks 43rd of 183 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugees by country of asylum in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 96,000 people | — |
| 1978 | 141,580 people | +47.5% |
| 1979 | 124,880 people | -11.8% |
| 1980 | 104,040 people | -16.7% |
| 1981 | 103,250 people | -0.8% |
| 1982 | 99,240 people | -3.9% |
| 1983 | 110,700 people | +11.5% |
| 1984 | 109,060 people | -1.5% |
| 1985 | 105,310 people | -3.4% |
| 1986 | 99,000 people | -6.0% |
| 1987 | 99,420 people | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 104,553 people | +5.2% |
| 1989 | 110,482 people | +5.7% |
| 1990 | 14,862 people | -86.5% |
| 1991 | 13,947 people | -6.2% |
| 1992 | 11,399 people | -18.3% |
| 1993 | 145 people | -98.7% |
| 1994 | 5,298 people | +3553.8% |
| 1995 | 5,279 people | -0.4% |
| 1996 | 5,305 people | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 5,277 people | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 50,603 people | +858.9% |
| 1999 | 50,509 people | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 50,477 people | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 50,456 people | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 50,614 people | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 7,422 people | -85.3% |
| 2004 | 24,900 people | +235.5% |
| 2005 | 33,684 people | +35.3% |
| 2006 | 37,158 people | +10.3% |
| 2007 | 32,657 people | -12.1% |
| 2008 | 36,668 people | +12.3% |
| 2009 | 66,126 people | +80.3% |
| 2010 | 81,518 people | +23.3% |
| 2011 | 86,676 people | +6.3% |
| 2012 | 90,173 people | +4.0% |
| 2013 | 97,502 people | +8.1% |
| 2014 | 99,362 people | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 94,158 people | -5.2% |
| 2016 | 92,256 people | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 103,837 people | +12.6% |
| 2018 | 121,305 people | +16.8% |
| 2019 | 129,102 people | +6.4% |
| 2020 | 129,902 people | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 132,086 people | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 134,554 people | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 135,872 people | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 138,417 people | +1.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 120,820 people | 96,000 people | 141,580 people | 3 |
| 1980s | 104,506 people | 99,000 people | 110,700 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 16,262 people | 145 people | 50,603 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 39,016 people | 7,422 people | 66,126 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 99,589 people | 81,518 people | 129,102 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 134,166 people | 129,902 people | 138,417 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More population data for Malaysia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.2671 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.2671 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.2686 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 41,032 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8625 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1472 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Population density 134 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.91 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of asylum in Malaysia?
- Refugees by country of asylum in Malaysia was 138,417 people in 2024, according to UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugees by country of asylum recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 141,580 people in 1978.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of asylum recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 145 people in 1993.
- How does Malaysia rank for refugees by country of asylum?
- Malaysia ranks 43rd out of 183 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of asylum rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 39.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Refugees by country of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
People who fled their country of origin and are in need of international protection. Refugees are those who have already been granted asylum status in the country they moved to. This includes all refugees who live in this country, not just those who arrived that year.