Refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Refugees by country of origin was 316 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
316 people
Change on year
up 52.7%
World rank
123rd
of 204 countries
All-time high
463 people
in 2013
All-time low
5 people
in 1992
Years of data
33
1992–2024

Refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica, 1992–2024

01002003004005001992200820241992: 5 people1993: 5 people1994: 222 people1995: 209 people1996: 136 people1997: 86 people1998: 50 people1999: 73 people2000: 55 people2001: 86 people2002: 97 people2003: 91 people2004: 136 people2005: 176 people2006: 283 people2007: 361 people2008: 354 people2009: 344 people2010: 352 people2011: 332 people2012: 325 people2013: 463 people2014: 414 people2015: 374 people2016: 202 people2017: 195 people2018: 207 people2019: 206 people2020: 208 people2021: 235 people2022: 275 people2023: 207 people2024: 316 people

Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.

Analysis

The most recent figure for refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica is 316 people, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 52.7% on the previous year and down 23.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica peaked at 463 people in 2013 and was at its lowest, 5 people, in 1992.

Costa Rica ranks 123rd of 204 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica, year by year

Annual values for Refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica, 1992 to 2024.
Year people Change
1992 5 people
1993 5 people +0.0%
1994 222 people +4340.0%
1995 209 people -5.9%
1996 136 people -34.9%
1997 86 people -36.8%
1998 50 people -41.9%
1999 73 people +46.0%
2000 55 people -24.7%
2001 86 people +56.4%
2002 97 people +12.8%
2003 91 people -6.2%
2004 136 people +49.5%
2005 176 people +29.4%
2006 283 people +60.8%
2007 361 people +27.6%
2008 354 people -1.9%
2009 344 people -2.8%
2010 352 people +2.3%
2011 332 people -5.7%
2012 325 people -2.1%
2013 463 people +42.5%
2014 414 people -10.6%
2015 374 people -9.7%
2016 202 people -46.0%
2017 195 people -3.5%
2018 207 people +6.2%
2019 206 people -0.5%
2020 208 people +1.0%
2021 235 people +13.0%
2022 275 people +17.0%
2023 207 people -24.7%
2024 316 people +52.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 98.25 people 5 people 222 people 8
2000s 198.3 people 55 people 361 people 10
2010s 307 people 195 people 463 people 10
2020s 248.2 people 207 people 316 people 5

Countries ranked near Costa Rica

  1. 120 Germany 348 people compare
  2. 121 Zambia 337 people compare
  3. 122 Panama 333 people compare
  4. 124 Guyana 313 people compare
  5. 125 Canada 309 people compare
  6. 126 Thailand 300 people compare

See the full ranking of 204 places →

More population data for Costa Rica

All data for Costa Rica →

Frequently asked questions

What is refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica?
Refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica was 316 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 Costa Rica?
The highest recorded value was 463 people in 2013.
What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in Costa Rica?
The lowest recorded value was 5 people in 1992.
How does Costa Rica rank for refugees by country of origin?
Costa Rica ranks 123rd out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in Costa Rica?
Over the last ten years it is down 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Costa Rica 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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Refugees by country of origin in Costa Rica. Statizoid, drawing on UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/refugee-population-by-country-or-territory-of-origin-2/costa-rica/

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About this data

Indicator
Refugees by country of origin
Unit
people
Source
UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
204 places, 7,190 data points, 1960–2024
Last refreshed

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.