Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea
Eritrea: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 554,891 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea, 1979–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea stood at 554,891.
That represents a change of up 0.7% on the previous year and up 36.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea peaked at 559,853 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 43, in 1989.
Eritrea ranks 10th 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 Eritrea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 400 | — |
| 1980 | 542 | +35.5% |
| 1981 | 1,542 | +184.5% |
| 1982 | 1,585 | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 1,385 | -12.6% |
| 1984 | 1,385 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 1,385 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 177 | -87.2% |
| 1987 | 167 | -5.6% |
| 1988 | 133 | -20.4% |
| 1989 | 43 | -67.7% |
| 1990 | 43 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 500,633 | +1164162.8% |
| 1992 | 503,200 | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 427,208 | -15.1% |
| 1994 | 422,432 | -1.1% |
| 1995 | 286,711 | -32.1% |
| 1996 | 332,222 | +15.9% |
| 1997 | 319,076 | -4.0% |
| 1998 | 346,779 | +8.7% |
| 1999 | 347,134 | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 376,847 | +8.6% |
| 2001 | 333,222 | -11.6% |
| 2002 | 318,167 | -4.5% |
| 2003 | 124,111 | -61.0% |
| 2004 | 131,108 | +5.6% |
| 2005 | 144,062 | +9.9% |
| 2006 | 193,738 | +34.5% |
| 2007 | 208,747 | +7.7% |
| 2008 | 186,392 | -10.7% |
| 2009 | 209,164 | +12.2% |
| 2010 | 222,457 | +6.4% |
| 2011 | 251,941 | +13.3% |
| 2012 | 285,356 | +13.3% |
| 2013 | 308,210 | +8.0% |
| 2014 | 363,081 | +17.8% |
| 2015 | 407,428 | +12.2% |
| 2016 | 457,247 | +12.2% |
| 2017 | 486,209 | +6.3% |
| 2018 | 507,260 | +4.3% |
| 2019 | 504,300 | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 524,738 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 511,911 | -2.4% |
| 2022 | 512,674 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 559,853 | +9.2% |
| 2024 | 551,296 | -1.5% |
| 2025 | 554,891 | +0.7% |
Eritrea compared with similar countries
- Eritrea's 554,891 is above the median for low income countries, which is 164,215, 3.4× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Eritrea's 554,891 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 43.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | +1164162.8% | 43 | 500,633 |
| 1981 | +184.5% | 542 | 1,542 |
| 1986 | -87.2% | 1,385 | 177 |
| 1989 | -67.7% | 133 | 43 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 400 | 400 | 400 | 1 |
| 1980s | 834.4 | 43 | 1,585 | 10 |
| 1990s | 348,544 | 43 | 503,200 | 10 |
| 2000s | 222,556 | 124,111 | 376,847 | 10 |
| 2010s | 379,349 | 222,457 | 507,260 | 10 |
| 2020s | 535,894 | 511,911 | 559,853 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Eritrea
More population data for Eritrea
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.278 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.3999 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.278 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2011 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,964 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.97 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4564 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.264 (2100)
- Population density 69.76 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 525,382 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Eritrea was 554,891 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Eritrea?
- The highest recorded value was 559,853 in 2023.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Eritrea?
- The lowest recorded value was 43 in 1989.
- How does Eritrea rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Eritrea ranks 10th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Eritrea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Eritrea 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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