Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic
Central African Republic: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 674,222 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic, 1982–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic stood at 674,222.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and up 43.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic peaked at 759,187 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 100, in 1990.
Central African Republic ranks 9th of 205 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 origin in Central African Republic, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 15,000 | — |
| 1986 | 230 | -98.5% |
| 1987 | 160 | -30.4% |
| 1988 | 170 | +6.2% |
| 1989 | 310 | +82.4% |
| 1990 | 100 | -67.7% |
| 1991 | 320 | +220.0% |
| 1992 | 325 | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 309 | -4.9% |
| 1994 | 264 | -14.6% |
| 1995 | 241 | -8.7% |
| 1996 | 240 | -0.4% |
| 1997 | 139 | -42.1% |
| 1998 | 168 | +20.9% |
| 1999 | 190 | +13.1% |
| 2000 | 135 | -28.9% |
| 2001 | 28,698 | +21157.8% |
| 2002 | 25,368 | -11.6% |
| 2003 | 35,394 | +39.5% |
| 2004 | 31,056 | -12.3% |
| 2005 | 42,875 | +38.1% |
| 2006 | 71,669 | +67.2% |
| 2007 | 98,092 | +36.9% |
| 2008 | 125,090 | +27.5% |
| 2009 | 159,542 | +27.5% |
| 2010 | 164,902 | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 162,861 | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 164,567 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 252,854 | +53.6% |
| 2014 | 412,028 | +63.0% |
| 2015 | 471,093 | +14.3% |
| 2016 | 490,879 | +4.2% |
| 2017 | 545,513 | +11.1% |
| 2018 | 590,858 | +8.3% |
| 2019 | 610,152 | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 642,161 | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 737,658 | +14.9% |
| 2022 | 748,344 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 759,187 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 693,488 | -8.7% |
| 2025 | 674,222 | -2.8% |
Central African Republic compared with similar countries
- Central African Republic's 674,222 is above the median for low income countries, which is 164,215, 4.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Central African Republic's 674,222 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 53.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | +21157.8% | 135 | 28,698 |
| 1991 | +220.0% | 100 | 320 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,174 | 160 | 15,000 | 5 |
| 1990s | 229.6 | 100 | 325 | 10 |
| 2000s | 61,792 | 135 | 159,542 | 10 |
| 2010s | 386,571 | 162,861 | 610,152 | 10 |
| 2020s | 709,177 | 642,161 | 759,187 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Central African Republic
More population data for Central African Republic
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4069 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.248 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 11,533 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 3.07 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5628 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.39 (2100)
- Population density 30.14 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.36 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Central African Republic was 674,222 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Central African Republic?
- The highest recorded value was 759,187 in 2023.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Central African Republic?
- The lowest recorded value was 100 in 1990.
- How does Central African Republic rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Central African Republic ranks 9th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Central African Republic?
- Over the last ten years it is up 43.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Central African Republic data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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