Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 1,377 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in United Arab Emirates, 1968–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
United Arab Emirates recorded 1,377 for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
The figure is up 107.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in United Arab Emirates peaked at 26,350 in 1985 and was at its lowest, 70, in 1989.
That places United Arab Emirates 120th out of 183 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
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 United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 300 | — |
| 1969 | 300 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 870 | +190.0% |
| 1972 | 870 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 3,200 | +267.8% |
| 1974 | 1,200 | -62.5% |
| 1976 | 4,000 | +233.3% |
| 1977 | 390 | -90.2% |
| 1978 | 390 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 590 | +51.3% |
| 1980 | 2,490 | +322.0% |
| 1981 | 6,090 | +144.6% |
| 1982 | 3,690 | -39.4% |
| 1983 | 4,090 | +10.8% |
| 1984 | 5,170 | +26.4% |
| 1985 | 26,350 | +409.7% |
| 1989 | 70 | -99.7% |
| 1993 | 434 | +520.0% |
| 1994 | 380 | -12.4% |
| 1995 | 409 | +7.6% |
| 1996 | 464 | +13.4% |
| 1997 | 519 | +11.9% |
| 1998 | 532 | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 501 | -5.8% |
| 2000 | 560 | +11.8% |
| 2001 | 554 | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 165 | -70.2% |
| 2003 | 160 | -3.0% |
| 2004 | 106 | -33.8% |
| 2005 | 104 | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 176 | +69.2% |
| 2007 | 161 | -8.5% |
| 2008 | 204 | +26.7% |
| 2009 | 280 | +37.3% |
| 2010 | 538 | +92.1% |
| 2011 | 675 | +25.5% |
| 2012 | 628 | -7.0% |
| 2013 | 602 | -4.1% |
| 2014 | 419 | -30.4% |
| 2015 | 663 | +58.2% |
| 2016 | 888 | +33.9% |
| 2017 | 884 | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 1,167 | +32.0% |
| 2019 | 1,242 | +6.4% |
| 2020 | 1,315 | +5.9% |
| 2021 | 1,355 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 1,399 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 1,416 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 1,377 | -2.8% |
| 2025 | 1,377 | +0.0% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 1,377 is below the median for high income countries, which is 11,811, 12% of the median. (67 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 1,377 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 15,377, 9% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in United Arab Emirates 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | +520.0% | 70 | 434 |
| 1985 | +409.7% | 5,170 | 26,350 |
| 1980 | +322.0% | 590 | 2,490 |
| 1973 | +267.8% | 870 | 3,200 |
| 1976 | +233.3% | 1,200 | 4,000 |
| 1971 | +190.0% | 300 | 870 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 300 | 300 | 300 | 2 |
| 1970s | 1,439 | 390 | 4,000 | 8 |
| 1980s | 6,850 | 70 | 26,350 | 7 |
| 1990s | 462.71 | 380 | 532 | 7 |
| 2000s | 247 | 104 | 560 | 10 |
| 2010s | 770.6 | 419 | 1,242 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,373 | 1,315 | 1,416 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More population data for United Arab Emirates
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.9136 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.1 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.9136 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.4807 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 11,450 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.6462 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.911 (2100)
- Population density 367.99 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.66 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in United Arab Emirates?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in United Arab Emirates was 1,377 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 26,350 in 1985.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 70 in 1989.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 120th out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 107.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates 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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