Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa
South Africa: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 1,319 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa, 1966–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa is 1,319, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 12.4% on the previous year and up 195.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa peaked at 38,560 in 1984 and was at its lowest, 131, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 100th of 205 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.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 390 | — |
| 1967 | 450 | +15.4% |
| 1968 | 740 | +64.4% |
| 1969 | 290 | -60.8% |
| 1970 | 460 | +58.6% |
| 1971 | 850 | +84.8% |
| 1972 | 790 | -7.1% |
| 1973 | 940 | +19.0% |
| 1974 | 1,380 | +46.8% |
| 1975 | 1,360 | -1.4% |
| 1976 | 2,180 | +60.3% |
| 1977 | 2,395 | +9.9% |
| 1978 | 3,840 | +60.3% |
| 1979 | 7,280 | +89.6% |
| 1980 | 24,250 | +233.1% |
| 1981 | 24,900 | +2.7% |
| 1982 | 28,430 | +14.2% |
| 1983 | 34,520 | +21.4% |
| 1984 | 38,560 | +11.7% |
| 1985 | 38,110 | -1.2% |
| 1986 | 33,220 | -12.8% |
| 1987 | 26,150 | -21.3% |
| 1988 | 24,906 | -4.8% |
| 1989 | 17,135 | -31.2% |
| 1990 | 14,781 | -13.7% |
| 1991 | 11,205 | -24.2% |
| 1992 | 9,241 | -17.5% |
| 1993 | 9,087 | -1.7% |
| 1994 | 1,514 | -83.3% |
| 1995 | 492 | -67.5% |
| 1996 | 286 | -41.9% |
| 1997 | 241 | -15.7% |
| 1998 | 184 | -23.7% |
| 1999 | 190 | +3.3% |
| 2000 | 168 | -11.6% |
| 2001 | 131 | -22.0% |
| 2002 | 271 | +106.9% |
| 2003 | 284 | +4.8% |
| 2004 | 261 | -8.1% |
| 2005 | 259 | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 501 | +93.4% |
| 2007 | 474 | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 449 | -5.3% |
| 2009 | 380 | -15.4% |
| 2010 | 374 | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 422 | +12.8% |
| 2012 | 413 | -2.1% |
| 2013 | 424 | +2.7% |
| 2014 | 422 | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 447 | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 452 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 461 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 482 | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 441 | -8.5% |
| 2020 | 474 | +7.5% |
| 2021 | 643 | +35.7% |
| 2022 | 784 | +21.9% |
| 2023 | 919 | +17.2% |
| 2024 | 1,174 | +27.7% |
| 2025 | 1,319 | +12.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1,319 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,477, 53% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1,319 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 10% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | +233.1% | 7,280 | 24,250 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 467.5 | 290 | 740 | 4 |
| 1970s | 2,148 | 460 | 7,280 | 10 |
| 1980s | 29,018 | 17,135 | 38,560 | 10 |
| 1990s | 4,722 | 184 | 14,781 | 10 |
| 2000s | 317.8 | 131 | 501 | 10 |
| 2010s | 433.8 | 374 | 482 | 10 |
| 2020s | 885.5 | 474 | 1,319 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in South Africa was 1,319 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 38,560 in 1984.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 131 in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- South Africa ranks 100th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 195.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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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