Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya
Kenya: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 13,325 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya, 1975–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya is 13,325, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 40 years on record.
The figure is up 13.9% on the previous year and up 68.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya peaked at 13,325 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 7, in 1990.
That places Kenya 56th out of 205 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
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 Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 90 | — |
| 1977 | 1,200 | +1233.3% |
| 1978 | 80 | -93.3% |
| 1979 | 80 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 7 | -91.2% |
| 1991 | 31 | +342.9% |
| 1992 | 61 | +96.8% |
| 1993 | 83 | +36.1% |
| 1994 | 8,772 | +10468.7% |
| 1995 | 9,320 | +6.2% |
| 1996 | 9,390 | +0.8% |
| 1997 | 9,563 | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 6,037 | -36.9% |
| 1999 | 6,131 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 2,367 | -61.4% |
| 2001 | 2,551 | +7.8% |
| 2002 | 3,089 | +21.1% |
| 2003 | 3,159 | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 3,842 | +21.6% |
| 2005 | 4,638 | +20.7% |
| 2006 | 5,356 | +15.5% |
| 2007 | 7,544 | +40.9% |
| 2008 | 9,682 | +28.3% |
| 2009 | 9,609 | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 8,585 | -10.7% |
| 2011 | 8,731 | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 8,946 | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 8,580 | -4.1% |
| 2014 | 8,546 | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 7,902 | -7.5% |
| 2016 | 7,526 | -4.8% |
| 2017 | 7,567 | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 7,480 | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 7,705 | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 7,422 | -3.7% |
| 2021 | 7,529 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 7,595 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 8,004 | +5.4% |
| 2024 | 11,696 | +46.1% |
| 2025 | 13,325 | +13.9% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 13,325 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 1.4× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 13,325 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +10468.7% | 83 | 8,772 |
| 1977 | +1233.3% | 90 | 1,200 |
| 1991 | +342.9% | 7 | 31 |
| 1978 | -93.3% | 1,200 | 80 |
| 1992 | +96.8% | 31 | 61 |
| 1990 | -91.2% | 80 | 7 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 362.5 | 80 | 1,200 | 4 |
| 1990s | 4,940 | 7 | 9,563 | 10 |
| 2000s | 5,184 | 2,367 | 9,682 | 10 |
| 2010s | 8,157 | 7,480 | 8,946 | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,262 | 7,422 | 13,325 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More population data for Kenya
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0288 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0288 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1094 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 85,212 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7363 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.038 (2100)
- Population density 183.07 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 6.40 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Kenya was 13,325 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 13,325 in 2025.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 7 in 1990.
- How does Kenya rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Kenya ranks 56th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 68.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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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