Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa
South Africa: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth was 6 % change on previous year in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa is 6 % change on previous year, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 627.3% on the previous year and down 91.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa peaked at 73.35 % change on previous year in 1999 and was at its lowest, -77.67 % change on previous year, in 1996.
That places South Africa 65th out of 170 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.
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | -63.24 % change on previous year | — |
| 1995 | 10.35 % change on previous year | -116.4% |
| 1996 | -77.67 % change on previous year | -850.2% |
| 1997 | -69.9 % change on previous year | -10.0% |
| 1998 | 23.05 % change on previous year | -133.0% |
| 1999 | 73.35 % change on previous year | +218.2% |
| 2000 | 3.57 % change on previous year | -95.1% |
| 2001 | 23.48 % change on previous year | +557.8% |
| 2002 | 25.5 % change on previous year | +8.6% |
| 2003 | 13.78 % change on previous year | -46.0% |
| 2004 | 4.23 % change on previous year | -69.3% |
| 2005 | 7.37 % change on previous year | +74.4% |
| 2006 | 18.07 % change on previous year | +145.0% |
| 2007 | 4.69 % change on previous year | -74.0% |
| 2008 | 18.54 % change on previous year | +295.2% |
| 2009 | 10.17 % change on previous year | -45.1% |
| 2010 | 20.69 % change on previous year | +103.4% |
| 2011 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 2012 | 12.65 % change on previous year | — |
| 2013 | 1.15 % change on previous year | -90.9% |
| 2014 | 70.03 % change on previous year | +5982.6% |
| 2015 | 8.43 % change on previous year | -88.0% |
| 2016 | -25.17 % change on previous year | -398.7% |
| 2017 | -2.55 % change on previous year | -89.9% |
| 2018 | 0.6663 % change on previous year | -126.1% |
| 2019 | -12.2 % change on previous year | -1930.4% |
| 2020 | -2.13 % change on previous year | -82.6% |
| 2021 | -1.59 % change on previous year | -25.4% |
| 2022 | -11.81 % change on previous year | +644.4% |
| 2023 | 0.8244 % change on previous year | -107.0% |
| 2024 | 6 % change on previous year | +627.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -17.34 % change on previous year | -77.67 % change on previous year | 73.35 % change on previous year | 6 |
| 2000s | 12.94 % change on previous year | 3.57 % change on previous year | 25.5 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.37 % change on previous year | -25.17 % change on previous year | 70.03 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.74 % change on previous year | -11.81 % change on previous year | 6 % change on previous year | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 62 Botswana 7.23 % change on previous year compare
- 63 United States of America 6.39 % change on previous year compare
- 64 Germany 6.03 % change on previous year compare
- 66 Ghana 5.98 % change on previous year compare
- 67 Burkina Faso 5.78 % change on previous year compare
- 68 Italy 4.88 % change on previous year compare
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth in South Africa was 6 % change on previous year in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 73.35 % change on previous year in 1999.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -77.67 % change on previous year in 1996.
- How does South Africa rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth?
- South Africa ranks 65th out of 170 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 91.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Refugee population by country or territory of asylum. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Refugees by country of asylum UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Refugee population by country or territory of asylum. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.