Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Uganda
Uganda: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 12,792 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Uganda, 1973–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
Uganda recorded 12,792 for refugee population by country or territory of origin in 2025.
That represents a change of up 23.2% on the previous year and up 102.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Uganda peaked at 315,346 in 1983 and was at its lowest, 950, in 1973.
That places Uganda 59th 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 Uganda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 950 | — |
| 1974 | 2,630 | +176.8% |
| 1975 | 2,510 | -4.6% |
| 1976 | 3,250 | +29.5% |
| 1977 | 8,000 | +146.2% |
| 1978 | 8,820 | +10.2% |
| 1979 | 88,710 | +905.8% |
| 1980 | 224,301 | +152.8% |
| 1981 | 176,691 | -21.2% |
| 1982 | 271,285 | +53.5% |
| 1983 | 315,346 | +16.2% |
| 1984 | 293,991 | -6.8% |
| 1985 | 306,060 | +4.1% |
| 1986 | 238,652 | -22.0% |
| 1987 | 111,071 | -53.5% |
| 1988 | 21,975 | -80.2% |
| 1989 | 21,358 | -2.8% |
| 1990 | 58,820 | +175.4% |
| 1991 | 39,386 | -33.0% |
| 1992 | 32,456 | -17.6% |
| 1993 | 33,406 | +2.9% |
| 1994 | 31,446 | -5.9% |
| 1995 | 24,161 | -23.2% |
| 1996 | 28,335 | +17.3% |
| 1997 | 55,232 | +94.9% |
| 1998 | 13,294 | -75.9% |
| 1999 | 13,929 | +4.8% |
| 2000 | 32,405 | +132.6% |
| 2001 | 40,133 | +23.8% |
| 2002 | 40,414 | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 35,240 | -12.8% |
| 2004 | 31,955 | -9.3% |
| 2005 | 34,208 | +7.1% |
| 2006 | 21,735 | -36.5% |
| 2007 | 21,325 | -1.9% |
| 2008 | 7,533 | -64.7% |
| 2009 | 7,543 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 6,421 | -14.9% |
| 2011 | 5,658 | -11.9% |
| 2012 | 5,588 | -1.2% |
| 2013 | 8,166 | +46.1% |
| 2014 | 7,177 | -12.1% |
| 2015 | 6,311 | -12.1% |
| 2016 | 6,229 | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 6,409 | +2.9% |
| 2018 | 7,034 | +9.8% |
| 2019 | 7,301 | +3.8% |
| 2020 | 7,442 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 7,887 | +6.0% |
| 2022 | 7,572 | -4.0% |
| 2023 | 8,376 | +10.6% |
| 2024 | 10,384 | +24.0% |
| 2025 | 12,792 | +23.2% |
Uganda compared with similar countries
- Uganda's 12,792 is below the median for low income countries, which is 164,215, 8% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Uganda's 12,792 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 Uganda 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | +905.8% | 8,820 | 88,710 |
| 1974 | +176.8% | 950 | 2,630 |
| 1990 | +175.4% | 21,358 | 58,820 |
| 1980 | +152.8% | 88,710 | 224,301 |
| 1977 | +146.2% | 3,250 | 8,000 |
| 2000 | +132.6% | 13,929 | 32,405 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 16,410 | 950 | 88,710 | 7 |
| 1980s | 198,073 | 21,358 | 315,346 | 10 |
| 1990s | 33,046 | 13,294 | 58,820 | 10 |
| 2000s | 27,249 | 7,533 | 40,414 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,629 | 5,588 | 8,166 | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,076 | 7,442 | 12,792 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Uganda
More population data for Uganda
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2177 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 87,622 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.53 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.8617 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.017 (2100)
- Population density 602.61 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 6.91 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Uganda?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Uganda was 12,792 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Uganda?
- The highest recorded value was 315,346 in 1983.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Uganda?
- The lowest recorded value was 950 in 1973.
- How does Uganda rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Uganda ranks 59th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Uganda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 102.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Uganda 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.
Download this data
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