Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran
Iran: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 157,912 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran, 1980–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran is 157,912, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.2% on the previous year and up 85.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran peaked at 158,171 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 48, in 1980.
That places Iran 21st out of 205 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 46 years of available data.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 48 | — |
| 1981 | 803 | +1572.9% |
| 1982 | 2,480 | +208.8% |
| 1983 | 5,577 | +124.9% |
| 1984 | 5,244 | -6.0% |
| 1985 | 88,245 | +1582.8% |
| 1986 | 87,921 | -0.4% |
| 1987 | 10,992 | -87.5% |
| 1988 | 58,259 | +430.0% |
| 1989 | 52,798 | -9.4% |
| 1990 | 75,889 | +43.7% |
| 1991 | 130,366 | +71.8% |
| 1992 | 128,781 | -1.2% |
| 1993 | 115,516 | -10.3% |
| 1994 | 121,288 | +5.0% |
| 1995 | 112,360 | -7.4% |
| 1996 | 104,122 | -7.3% |
| 1997 | 93,986 | -9.7% |
| 1998 | 89,967 | -4.3% |
| 1999 | 86,845 | -3.5% |
| 2000 | 88,266 | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 92,490 | +4.8% |
| 2002 | 138,362 | +49.6% |
| 2003 | 122,530 | -11.4% |
| 2004 | 115,171 | -6.0% |
| 2005 | 99,430 | -13.7% |
| 2006 | 102,479 | +3.1% |
| 2007 | 68,398 | -33.3% |
| 2008 | 69,051 | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 72,771 | +5.4% |
| 2010 | 68,785 | -5.5% |
| 2011 | 72,366 | +5.2% |
| 2012 | 75,932 | +4.9% |
| 2013 | 75,061 | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 82,202 | +9.5% |
| 2015 | 84,950 | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 94,102 | +10.8% |
| 2017 | 118,639 | +26.1% |
| 2018 | 129,941 | +9.5% |
| 2019 | 128,998 | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 135,018 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 142,994 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | 122,764 | -14.1% |
| 2023 | 151,757 | +23.6% |
| 2024 | 158,171 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | 157,912 | -0.2% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 157,912 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,477, 63.8× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Iran's 157,912 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 9,174, 17.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | +1582.8% | 5,244 | 88,245 |
| 1981 | +1572.9% | 48 | 803 |
| 1988 | +430.0% | 10,992 | 58,259 |
| 1982 | +208.8% | 803 | 2,480 |
| 1983 | +124.9% | 2,480 | 5,577 |
| 1987 | -87.5% | 87,921 | 10,992 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 31,237 | 48 | 88,245 | 10 |
| 1990s | 105,912 | 75,889 | 130,366 | 10 |
| 2000s | 96,895 | 68,398 | 138,362 | 10 |
| 2010s | 93,098 | 68,785 | 129,941 | 10 |
| 2020s | 144,769 | 122,764 | 158,171 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More population data for Iran
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6632 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.91 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6632 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5902 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 99,007 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4819 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5653 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.673 (2100)
- Population density 49.33 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 3.09 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Iran was 157,912 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 158,171 in 2024.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 48 in 1980.
- How does Iran rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Iran ranks 21st out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 85.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iran 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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