Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 8,570 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Zimbabwe, 1980–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded 8,570 for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.3% on the previous year and up 23.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Zimbabwe peaked at 237,713 in 1992 and was at its lowest, 50, in 1980.
Zimbabwe ranks 93rd of 183 countries on this measure, 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 Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 50 | — |
| 1981 | 5,100 | +10100.0% |
| 1982 | 20,200 | +296.1% |
| 1983 | 50,390 | +149.5% |
| 1984 | 50,500 | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 62,800 | +24.4% |
| 1986 | 65,180 | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 123,610 | +89.6% |
| 1988 | 174,483 | +41.2% |
| 1989 | 175,350 | +0.5% |
| 1990 | 190,950 | +8.9% |
| 1991 | 197,627 | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 237,713 | +20.3% |
| 1993 | 100,476 | -57.7% |
| 1994 | 2,194 | -97.8% |
| 1995 | 515 | -76.5% |
| 1996 | 594 | +15.3% |
| 1997 | 800 | +34.7% |
| 1998 | 1,656 | +107.0% |
| 1999 | 2,071 | +25.1% |
| 2000 | 4,127 | +99.3% |
| 2001 | 8,708 | +111.0% |
| 2002 | 9,433 | +8.3% |
| 2003 | 12,721 | +34.9% |
| 2004 | 6,875 | -46.0% |
| 2005 | 13,850 | +101.5% |
| 2006 | 3,519 | -74.6% |
| 2007 | 3,984 | +13.2% |
| 2008 | 3,465 | -13.0% |
| 2009 | 3,991 | +15.2% |
| 2010 | 4,432 | +11.0% |
| 2011 | 4,559 | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 4,354 | -4.5% |
| 2013 | 6,387 | +46.7% |
| 2014 | 6,076 | -4.9% |
| 2015 | 6,943 | +14.3% |
| 2016 | 7,423 | +6.9% |
| 2017 | 7,566 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 7,795 | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 8,956 | +14.9% |
| 2020 | 9,261 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 9,483 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 10,475 | +10.5% |
| 2023 | 10,114 | -3.4% |
| 2024 | 9,240 | -8.6% |
| 2025 | 8,570 | -7.3% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 8,570 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8,620, 99% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 8,570 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 35,241, 24% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Zimbabwe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | +10100.0% | 50 | 5,100 |
| 1982 | +296.1% | 5,100 | 20,200 |
| 1983 | +149.5% | 20,200 | 50,390 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 72,766 | 50 | 175,350 | 10 |
| 1990s | 73,460 | 515 | 237,713 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7,067 | 3,465 | 13,850 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,449 | 4,354 | 8,956 | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,524 | 8,570 | 10,475 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
- 90 Luxembourg 10,284 compare
- 91 Syria 9,885 compare
- 92 Tajikistan 8,620 compare
- 94 Iceland 8,459 compare
- 95 Malta 8,306 compare
- 96 Papua New Guinea 7,727 compare
More population data for Zimbabwe
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.0209 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0944 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 26,439 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.94 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5219 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.188 (2100)
- Population density 96.07 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 2.49 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Zimbabwe?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Zimbabwe was 8,570 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 237,713 in 1992.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 50 in 1980.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- Zimbabwe ranks 93rd out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.
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