Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania
Tanzania: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 1,592 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania, 1974–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania stood at 1,592.
That represents a change of up 26.4% on the previous year and up 96.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania peaked at 3,000 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 5, in 1988.
That places Tanzania 98th 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 Tanzania, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 320 | — |
| 1976 | 90 | -71.9% |
| 1977 | 300 | +233.3% |
| 1978 | 300 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 600 | +100.0% |
| 1980 | 300 | -50.0% |
| 1981 | 3,000 | +900.0% |
| 1982 | 500 | -83.3% |
| 1983 | 500 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 500 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 2,000 | +300.0% |
| 1988 | 5 | -99.8% |
| 1989 | 10 | +100.0% |
| 1990 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 13 | +30.0% |
| 1992 | 19 | +46.2% |
| 1993 | 32 | +68.4% |
| 1994 | 62 | +93.8% |
| 1995 | 69 | +11.3% |
| 1996 | 66 | -4.3% |
| 1997 | 59 | -10.6% |
| 1998 | 100 | +69.5% |
| 1999 | 117 | +17.0% |
| 2000 | 310 | +165.0% |
| 2001 | 369 | +19.0% |
| 2002 | 578 | +56.6% |
| 2003 | 703 | +21.6% |
| 2004 | 982 | +39.7% |
| 2005 | 1,542 | +57.0% |
| 2006 | 1,665 | +8.0% |
| 2007 | 1,250 | -24.9% |
| 2008 | 1,262 | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 1,191 | -5.6% |
| 2010 | 1,135 | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 1,154 | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 1,109 | -3.9% |
| 2013 | 1,033 | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 843 | -18.4% |
| 2015 | 810 | -3.9% |
| 2016 | 579 | -28.5% |
| 2017 | 655 | +13.1% |
| 2018 | 723 | +10.4% |
| 2019 | 695 | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 684 | -1.6% |
| 2021 | 746 | +9.1% |
| 2022 | 790 | +5.9% |
| 2023 | 935 | +18.4% |
| 2024 | 1,259 | +34.7% |
| 2025 | 1,592 | +26.4% |
Tanzania compared with similar countries
- Tanzania's 1,592 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 17% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Tanzania's 1,592 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 13% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | +900.0% | 300 | 3,000 |
| 1987 | +300.0% | 500 | 2,000 |
| 1977 | +233.3% | 90 | 300 |
| 2000 | +165.0% | 117 | 310 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 322 | 90 | 600 | 5 |
| 1980s | 851.88 | 5 | 3,000 | 8 |
| 1990s | 54.7 | 10 | 117 | 10 |
| 2000s | 985.2 | 310 | 1,665 | 10 |
| 2010s | 873.6 | 579 | 1,154 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,001 | 684 | 1,592 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Tanzania
- 95 Turkmenistan 1,864 compare
- 96 Guinea-Bissau 1,800 compare
- 97 Bahamas 1,598 compare
- 99 Poland 1,368 compare
- 100 South Africa 1,319 compare
- 101 Benin 1,279 compare
More population data for Tanzania
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.8793 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.36 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.8793 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.6843 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 129,932 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.69 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.089 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.868 (2100)
- Population density 296.72 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 20.58 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Tanzania was 1,592 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Tanzania?
- The highest recorded value was 3,000 in 1981.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Tanzania?
- The lowest recorded value was 5 in 1988.
- How does Tanzania rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Tanzania ranks 98th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Tanzania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 96.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Tanzania 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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