Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia
Namibia: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 685 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia, 1966–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia stood at 685.
That represents a change of up 6.0% on the previous year and down 46.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia peaked at 77,550 in 1984 and was at its lowest, 12, in 1995.
That places Namibia 109th 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 Namibia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 180 | — |
| 1967 | 230 | +27.8% |
| 1968 | 1,330 | +478.3% |
| 1969 | 840 | -36.8% |
| 1970 | 900 | +7.1% |
| 1971 | 900 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 1,000 | +11.1% |
| 1973 | 3,410 | +241.0% |
| 1974 | 3,420 | +0.3% |
| 1975 | 3,970 | +16.1% |
| 1976 | 9,020 | +127.2% |
| 1977 | 12,930 | +43.3% |
| 1978 | 35,760 | +176.6% |
| 1979 | 40,580 | +13.5% |
| 1980 | 55,620 | +37.1% |
| 1981 | 74,520 | +34.0% |
| 1982 | 75,170 | +0.9% |
| 1983 | 75,110 | -0.1% |
| 1984 | 77,550 | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 76,916 | -0.8% |
| 1986 | 76,966 | +0.1% |
| 1987 | 75,726 | -1.6% |
| 1988 | 76,591 | +1.1% |
| 1989 | 3,704 | -95.2% |
| 1990 | 532 | -85.6% |
| 1991 | 204 | -61.7% |
| 1992 | 17 | -91.7% |
| 1993 | 133 | +682.4% |
| 1994 | 65 | -51.1% |
| 1995 | 12 | -81.5% |
| 1996 | 13 | +8.3% |
| 1998 | 1,900 | +14515.4% |
| 1999 | 702 | -63.1% |
| 2000 | 2,307 | +228.6% |
| 2001 | 2,295 | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 1,298 | -43.4% |
| 2003 | 1,289 | -0.7% |
| 2004 | 1,307 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 1,221 | -6.6% |
| 2006 | 1,196 | -2.0% |
| 2007 | 1,123 | -6.1% |
| 2008 | 976 | -13.1% |
| 2009 | 918 | -5.9% |
| 2010 | 1,013 | +10.3% |
| 2011 | 1,067 | +5.3% |
| 2012 | 1,097 | +2.8% |
| 2013 | 1,138 | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 1,250 | +9.8% |
| 2015 | 1,272 | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 1,363 | +7.2% |
| 2017 | 1,368 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 1,331 | -2.7% |
| 2019 | 459 | -65.5% |
| 2020 | 457 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 441 | -3.5% |
| 2022 | 317 | -28.1% |
| 2023 | 447 | +41.0% |
| 2024 | 646 | +44.5% |
| 2025 | 685 | +6.0% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 685 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 7% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 685 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 5% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | +14515.4% | 13 | 1,900 |
| 1993 | +682.4% | 17 | 133 |
| 1968 | +478.3% | 230 | 1,330 |
| 1973 | +241.0% | 1,000 | 3,410 |
| 2000 | +228.6% | 702 | 2,307 |
| 1978 | +176.6% | 12,930 | 35,760 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 645 | 180 | 1,330 | 4 |
| 1970s | 11,189 | 900 | 40,580 | 10 |
| 1980s | 66,787 | 3,704 | 77,550 | 10 |
| 1990s | 397.56 | 12 | 1,900 | 9 |
| 2000s | 1,393 | 918 | 2,307 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,136 | 459 | 1,368 | 10 |
| 2020s | 498.83 | 317 | 685 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
- 106 Czechia 794 compare
- 107 Bolivia 710 compare
- 108 Montenegro 696 compare
- 110 Papua New Guinea 644 compare
- 111 Madagascar 637 compare
- 112 Slovakia 625 compare
More population data for Namibia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.6736 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1475 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 3,780 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.52 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4525 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.091 (2100)
- Population density 7.16 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 357,079 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Namibia was 685 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 77,550 in 1984.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 12 in 1995.
- How does Namibia rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Namibia ranks 109th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Namibia 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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