Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan
Sudan: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 809,816 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan, 1967–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan is 809,816, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 2.1% on the previous year and up 161.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan peaked at 1.16 million in 1985 and was at its lowest, 33,000, in 1967.
Sudan ranks 9th of 183 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 33,000 | — |
| 1968 | 38,300 | +16.1% |
| 1969 | 37,350 | -2.5% |
| 1970 | 60,840 | +62.9% |
| 1971 | 60,000 | -1.4% |
| 1972 | 49,020 | -18.3% |
| 1973 | 50,900 | +3.8% |
| 1974 | 53,700 | +5.5% |
| 1975 | 95,500 | +77.8% |
| 1976 | 110,100 | +15.3% |
| 1977 | 150,000 | +36.2% |
| 1978 | 270,000 | +80.0% |
| 1979 | 351,700 | +30.3% |
| 1980 | 493,000 | +40.2% |
| 1981 | 553,000 | +12.2% |
| 1982 | 637,000 | +15.2% |
| 1983 | 690,000 | +8.3% |
| 1984 | 971,000 | +40.7% |
| 1985 | 1.16 million | +19.9% |
| 1986 | 974,200 | -16.3% |
| 1987 | 807,070 | -17.2% |
| 1988 | 745,000 | -7.7% |
| 1989 | 767,729 | +3.1% |
| 1990 | 1.03 million | +34.3% |
| 1991 | 729,200 | -29.3% |
| 1992 | 725,900 | -0.5% |
| 1993 | 745,200 | +2.7% |
| 1994 | 727,174 | -2.4% |
| 1995 | 674,071 | -7.3% |
| 1996 | 393,874 | -41.6% |
| 1997 | 374,414 | -4.9% |
| 1998 | 391,496 | +4.6% |
| 1999 | 390,995 | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 414,928 | +6.1% |
| 2001 | 349,209 | -15.8% |
| 2002 | 328,177 | -6.0% |
| 2003 | 138,162 | -57.9% |
| 2004 | 141,587 | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 147,255 | +4.0% |
| 2006 | 196,200 | +33.2% |
| 2007 | 222,720 | +13.5% |
| 2008 | 181,605 | -18.5% |
| 2009 | 186,292 | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 178,305 | -4.3% |
| 2011 | 139,407 | -21.8% |
| 2012 | 152,188 | +9.2% |
| 2013 | 159,848 | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 277,818 | +73.8% |
| 2015 | 309,632 | +11.5% |
| 2016 | 421,459 | +36.1% |
| 2017 | 906,590 | +115.1% |
| 2018 | 1.08 million | +18.9% |
| 2019 | 1.06 million | -2.1% |
| 2020 | 1.04 million | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 1.10 million | +6.1% |
| 2022 | 1.10 million | -0.6% |
| 2023 | 922,474 | -15.9% |
| 2024 | 793,395 | -14.0% |
| 2025 | 809,816 | +2.1% |
Sudan compared with similar countries
- Sudan's 809,816 is above the median for low income countries, which is 45,052, 18.0× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Sudan's 809,816 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 35,241, 23.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +115.1% | 421,459 | 906,590 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 36,217 | 33,000 | 38,300 | 3 |
| 1970s | 125,176 | 49,020 | 351,700 | 10 |
| 1980s | 780,200 | 493,000 | 1.16 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 618,337 | 374,414 | 1.03 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 230,614 | 138,162 | 414,928 | 10 |
| 2010s | 467,902 | 139,407 | 1.08 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 961,171 | 793,395 | 1.10 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sudan
More population data for Sudan
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4226 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.64 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4226 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.5289 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 84,494 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.31 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3723 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.42 (2100)
- Population density 73.28 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 9.54 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Sudan was 809,816 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 1.16 million in 1985.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 33,000 in 1967.
- How does Sudan rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- Sudan ranks 9th out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 161.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sudan 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.
Download this data
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