Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China
China: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 153,962 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China, 1964–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in China is 153,962, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and down 27.7% 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 22nd out of 205 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
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
| 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% |
| 2025 | 153,962 | +0.3% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 153,962 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,477, 62.2× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- China's 153,962 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 73, 2109.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in China 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | +4006.2% | 2,011 | 82,576 |
| 1988 | +1004.2% | 24 | 265 |
| 1985 | +416.7% | 24 | 124 |
| 1982 | +333.3% | 24 | 104 |
| 1990 | +245.3% | 413 | 1,426 |
| 1980 | -100.0% | 75,000 | 24 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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 | 162,507 | 153,564 | 175,361 | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -12.97 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.19 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1.31 million Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1671 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3489 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -1.68 (2100)
- Population density 67.46 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 15.54 million (2100)
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 153,962 in 2025, 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 22nd out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.7%. 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.
Download this data
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