Refugees by country of asylum in Namibia
Namibia: Refugees by country of asylum was 5,258 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of asylum in Namibia, 1991–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugees by country of asylum in Namibia is 5,258 people, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 197.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of asylum in Namibia peaked at 30,886 people in 2001 and was at its lowest, 136 people, in 1991.
That places Namibia 107th 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 Namibia, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 136 people | — |
| 1992 | 171 people | +25.7% |
| 1993 | 584 people | +241.5% |
| 1994 | 1,145 people | +96.1% |
| 1995 | 1,679 people | +46.6% |
| 1996 | 2,198 people | +30.9% |
| 1997 | 2,502 people | +13.8% |
| 1998 | 3,816 people | +52.5% |
| 1999 | 7,612 people | +99.5% |
| 2000 | 27,263 people | +258.2% |
| 2001 | 30,886 people | +13.3% |
| 2002 | 21,649 people | -29.9% |
| 2003 | 19,800 people | -8.5% |
| 2004 | 14,773 people | -25.4% |
| 2005 | 5,297 people | -64.1% |
| 2006 | 5,454 people | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 6,522 people | +19.6% |
| 2008 | 6,794 people | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 7,160 people | +5.4% |
| 2010 | 7,249 people | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 6,050 people | -16.5% |
| 2012 | 1,808 people | -70.1% |
| 2013 | 2,330 people | +28.9% |
| 2014 | 1,765 people | -24.2% |
| 2015 | 1,730 people | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 1,747 people | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 2,182 people | +24.9% |
| 2018 | 2,394 people | +9.7% |
| 2019 | 3,182 people | +32.9% |
| 2020 | 3,578 people | +12.4% |
| 2021 | 3,733 people | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 4,685 people | +25.5% |
| 2023 | 5,157 people | +10.1% |
| 2024 | 5,258 people | +2.0% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 5,258 people is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,240 people, 57% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 5,258 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25,275 people, 21% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugees by country of asylum in Namibia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | +258.2% | 7,612 people | 27,263 people |
| 1993 | +241.5% | 171 people | 584 people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2,205 people | 136 people | 7,612 people | 9 |
| 2000s | 14,560 people | 5,297 people | 30,886 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 3,044 people | 1,730 people | 7,249 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,482 people | 3,578 people | 5,258 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
- 104 Azerbaijan 6,431 people compare
- 105 Paraguay 6,071 people compare
- 106 Mozambique 5,370 people compare
- 108 Argentina 4,409 people compare
- 109 South Korea 4,241 people compare
- 110 Gambia 3,964 people compare
More population data for Namibia
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1475 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.6736 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 357,079 people (2100)
- Population density 7.16 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4525 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.52 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of asylum in Namibia?
- Refugees by country of asylum in Namibia was 5,258 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 Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 30,886 people in 2001.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of asylum recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 136 people in 1991.
- How does Namibia rank for refugees by country of asylum?
- Namibia ranks 107th out of 183 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of asylum rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 197.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Namibia 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.
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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.