Refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic
Central African Republic: Refugees by country of origin was 693,488 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic, 1982–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2024, refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic stood at 693,488 people.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.7% on the previous year and up 68.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic peaked at 759,187 people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 100 people, in 1990.
Central African Republic ranks 9th of 204 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 15,000 people | — |
| 1986 | 230 people | -98.5% |
| 1987 | 160 people | -30.4% |
| 1988 | 170 people | +6.2% |
| 1989 | 310 people | +82.4% |
| 1990 | 100 people | -67.7% |
| 1991 | 320 people | +220.0% |
| 1992 | 325 people | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 309 people | -4.9% |
| 1994 | 264 people | -14.6% |
| 1995 | 241 people | -8.7% |
| 1996 | 240 people | -0.4% |
| 1997 | 139 people | -42.1% |
| 1998 | 168 people | +20.9% |
| 1999 | 190 people | +13.1% |
| 2000 | 135 people | -28.9% |
| 2001 | 28,698 people | +21157.8% |
| 2002 | 25,368 people | -11.6% |
| 2003 | 35,394 people | +39.5% |
| 2004 | 31,056 people | -12.3% |
| 2005 | 42,875 people | +38.1% |
| 2006 | 71,669 people | +67.2% |
| 2007 | 98,092 people | +36.9% |
| 2008 | 125,090 people | +27.5% |
| 2009 | 159,542 people | +27.5% |
| 2010 | 164,902 people | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 162,861 people | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 164,567 people | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 252,854 people | +53.6% |
| 2014 | 412,028 people | +63.0% |
| 2015 | 471,093 people | +14.3% |
| 2016 | 490,879 people | +4.2% |
| 2017 | 545,513 people | +11.1% |
| 2018 | 590,858 people | +8.3% |
| 2019 | 610,152 people | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 642,161 people | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 737,658 people | +14.9% |
| 2022 | 748,344 people | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 759,187 people | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 693,488 people | -8.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,174 people | 160 people | 15,000 people | 5 |
| 1990s | 229.6 people | 100 people | 325 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 61,792 people | 135 people | 159,542 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 386,571 people | 162,861 people | 610,152 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 716,168 people | 642,161 people | 759,187 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Central African Republic
More population data for Central African Republic
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.248 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4069 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.8749 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4069 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.36 million people (2100)
- Population density 30.14 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5628 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 3.07 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic?
- Refugees by country of origin in Central African Republic was 693,488 people in 2024, according to UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugees by country of origin recorded in Central African Republic?
- The highest recorded value was 759,187 people in 2023.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in Central African Republic?
- The lowest recorded value was 100 people in 1990.
- How does Central African Republic rank for refugees by country of origin?
- Central African Republic ranks 9th out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in Central African Republic?
- Over the last ten years it is up 68.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Central African Republic 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 origin. 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, not just those who fled that year.