Refugees by country of asylum in Malta
Malta: Refugees by country of asylum was 7,814 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of asylum in Malta, 1993–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2024, refugees by country of asylum in Malta stood at 7,814 people.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 33.4% on the previous year and up 28.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of asylum in Malta peaked at 11,724 people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 175 people, in 2001.
That places Malta 98th 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.
Refugees by country of asylum in Malta, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 505 people | — |
| 1994 | 424 people | -16.0% |
| 1995 | 410 people | -3.3% |
| 1996 | 357 people | -12.9% |
| 1997 | 334 people | -6.4% |
| 1998 | 291 people | -12.9% |
| 1999 | 271 people | -6.9% |
| 2000 | 191 people | -29.5% |
| 2001 | 175 people | -8.4% |
| 2002 | 311 people | +77.7% |
| 2003 | 894 people | +187.5% |
| 2004 | 1,561 people | +74.6% |
| 2005 | 1,942 people | +24.4% |
| 2006 | 2,407 people | +23.9% |
| 2007 | 3,003 people | +24.8% |
| 2008 | 4,329 people | +44.2% |
| 2009 | 5,951 people | +37.5% |
| 2010 | 6,143 people | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 6,948 people | +13.1% |
| 2012 | 8,242 people | +18.6% |
| 2013 | 9,900 people | +20.1% |
| 2014 | 6,095 people | -38.4% |
| 2015 | 7,068 people | +16.0% |
| 2016 | 7,941 people | +12.4% |
| 2017 | 7,994 people | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 8,579 people | +7.3% |
| 2019 | 8,908 people | +3.8% |
| 2020 | 9,168 people | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 9,335 people | +1.8% |
| 2022 | 11,098 people | +18.9% |
| 2023 | 11,724 people | +5.6% |
| 2024 | 7,814 people | -33.4% |
Malta compared with similar countries
- Malta's 7,814 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 10,077 people, 78% of the median. (67 countries reporting)
- Malta's 7,814 people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 16,250 people, 48% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugees by country of asylum in Malta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +187.5% | 311 people | 894 people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 370.29 people | 271 people | 505 people | 7 |
| 2000s | 2,076 people | 175 people | 5,951 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,782 people | 6,095 people | 9,900 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,828 people | 7,814 people | 11,724 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malta
More population data for Malta
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.8129 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.3593 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.8129 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.4258 % change on previous year (2100)
- Demographic balances and indicators by type of projection and NUTS 3 -0.2548 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 522.74 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.1107 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.02 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.8% (2100)
- Population density 1,125 people per km² (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of asylum in Malta?
- Refugees by country of asylum in Malta was 7,814 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 Malta?
- The highest recorded value was 11,724 people in 2023.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of asylum recorded in Malta?
- The lowest recorded value was 175 people in 2001.
- How does Malta rank for refugees by country of asylum?
- Malta ranks 98th out of 183 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of asylum rising or falling in Malta?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malta 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.