Refugees by country of origin in South Africa
South Africa: Refugees by country of origin was 1,174 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in South Africa, 1966–2024
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 South Africa is 1,174 people, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 27.7% on the previous year and up 178.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in South Africa peaked at 38,560 people in 1984 and was at its lowest, 131 people, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 101st 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 South Africa, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 390 people | — |
| 1967 | 450 people | +15.4% |
| 1968 | 740 people | +64.4% |
| 1969 | 290 people | -60.8% |
| 1970 | 460 people | +58.6% |
| 1971 | 850 people | +84.8% |
| 1972 | 790 people | -7.1% |
| 1973 | 940 people | +19.0% |
| 1974 | 1,380 people | +46.8% |
| 1975 | 1,360 people | -1.4% |
| 1976 | 2,180 people | +60.3% |
| 1977 | 2,395 people | +9.9% |
| 1978 | 3,840 people | +60.3% |
| 1979 | 7,280 people | +89.6% |
| 1980 | 24,250 people | +233.1% |
| 1981 | 24,900 people | +2.7% |
| 1982 | 28,430 people | +14.2% |
| 1983 | 34,520 people | +21.4% |
| 1984 | 38,560 people | +11.7% |
| 1985 | 38,110 people | -1.2% |
| 1986 | 33,220 people | -12.8% |
| 1987 | 26,150 people | -21.3% |
| 1988 | 24,906 people | -4.8% |
| 1989 | 17,135 people | -31.2% |
| 1990 | 14,781 people | -13.7% |
| 1991 | 11,205 people | -24.2% |
| 1992 | 9,241 people | -17.5% |
| 1993 | 9,087 people | -1.7% |
| 1994 | 1,514 people | -83.3% |
| 1995 | 492 people | -67.5% |
| 1996 | 286 people | -41.9% |
| 1997 | 241 people | -15.7% |
| 1998 | 184 people | -23.7% |
| 1999 | 190 people | +3.3% |
| 2000 | 168 people | -11.6% |
| 2001 | 131 people | -22.0% |
| 2002 | 271 people | +106.9% |
| 2003 | 284 people | +4.8% |
| 2004 | 261 people | -8.1% |
| 2005 | 259 people | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 501 people | +93.4% |
| 2007 | 474 people | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 449 people | -5.3% |
| 2009 | 380 people | -15.4% |
| 2010 | 374 people | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 422 people | +12.8% |
| 2012 | 413 people | -2.1% |
| 2013 | 424 people | +2.7% |
| 2014 | 422 people | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 447 people | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 452 people | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 461 people | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 482 people | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 441 people | -8.5% |
| 2020 | 474 people | +7.5% |
| 2021 | 643 people | +35.7% |
| 2022 | 784 people | +21.9% |
| 2023 | 919 people | +17.2% |
| 2024 | 1,174 people | +27.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 467.5 people | 290 people | 740 people | 4 |
| 1970s | 2,148 people | 460 people | 7,280 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 29,018 people | 17,135 people | 38,560 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 4,722 people | 184 people | 14,781 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 317.8 people | 131 people | 501 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 433.8 people | 374 people | 482 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 798.8 people | 474 people | 1,174 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in South Africa?
- Refugees by country of origin in South Africa was 1,174 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 38,560 people in 1984.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 131 people in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for refugees by country of origin?
- South Africa ranks 101st out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 178.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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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About this data
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.