Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China

China: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 153,564 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
153,564
Change on year
down 4.4%
World rank
20th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1.33 million
in 1965
All-time low
24
in 1980
Years of data
54
1964–2024

Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China, 1964–2024

0500.0k1.0M1.5M196419942024

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in China is 153,564, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of down 4.4% on the previous year and down 27.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in China peaked at 1.33 million in 1965 and was at its lowest, 24, in 1980.

That places China 20th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 China, year by year

Annual values for Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China, 1964 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1964 1.20 million
1965 1.33 million +10.8%
1966 1.33 million -0.2%
1967 74,000 -94.4%
1968 70,000 -5.4%
1969 65,000 -7.1%
1970 66,000 +1.5%
1971 70,000 +6.1%
1972 75,000 +7.1%
1980 24 -100.0%
1981 24 +0.0%
1982 104 +333.3%
1983 24 -76.9%
1984 24 +0.0%
1985 124 +416.7%
1986 154 +24.2%
1987 24 -84.4%
1988 265 +1004.2%
1989 413 +55.8%
1990 1,426 +245.3%
1991 2,011 +41.0%
1992 82,576 +4006.2%
1993 111,507 +35.0%
1994 113,908 +2.2%
1995 104,691 -8.1%
1996 105,806 +1.1%
1997 106,731 +0.9%
1998 109,396 +2.5%
1999 111,950 +2.3%
2000 110,967 -0.9%
2001 117,403 +5.8%
2002 132,099 +12.5%
2003 132,390 +0.2%
2004 134,708 +1.8%
2005 124,086 -7.9%
2006 140,584 +13.3%
2007 149,087 +6.0%
2008 175,169 +17.5%
2009 180,546 +3.1%
2010 184,601 +2.2%
2011 190,369 +3.1%
2012 193,449 +1.6%
2013 195,121 +0.9%
2014 210,793 +8.0%
2015 212,911 +1.0%
2016 207,768 -2.4%
2017 207,716 -0.0%
2018 212,039 +2.1%
2019 212,863 +0.4%
2020 175,361 -17.6%
2021 170,222 -2.9%
2022 161,366 -5.2%
2023 160,565 -0.5%
2024 153,564 -4.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 677,635 65,000 1.33 million 6
1970s 70,333 66,000 75,000 3
1980s 118 24 413 10
1990s 85,000 1,426 113,908 10
2000s 139,704 110,967 180,546 10
2010s 202,763 184,601 212,911 10
2020s 164,216 153,564 175,361 5

Countries ranked near China

  1. 17 Western Sahara 174,578 compare
  2. 18 Ethiopia 164,418 compare
  3. 19 Iran, Islamic Republic of 158,166 compare
  4. 21 Azerbaijan 153,154 compare
  5. 22 Burkina Faso 150,081 compare
  6. 23 Haiti 148,252 compare

See the full ranking of 204 places →

More population data for China

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in China?
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China was 153,564 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in China?
The highest recorded value was 1.33 million in 1965.
What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in China?
The lowest recorded value was 24 in 1980.
How does China rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
China ranks 20th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in China?
Over the last ten years it is down 27.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this China 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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Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/refugee-population-by-country-or-territory-of-origin-2/china/

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About this data

Indicator
Refugee population by country or territory of origin
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
204 places, 7,190 data points, 1960–2024
Last refreshed