Refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Refugees by country of origin was 261 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
261 people
Change on year
up 14.0%
World rank
131st
of 204 countries
All-time high
580 people
in 2012
All-time low
5 people
in 1998
Years of data
27
1998–2024

Refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates, 1998–2024

02004006001998201120241998: 5 people1999: 5 people2000: 17 people2001: 18 people2002: 29 people2003: 16 people2004: 69 people2005: 31 people2006: 260 people2007: 305 people2008: 255 people2009: 411 people2010: 418 people2011: 484 people2012: 580 people2013: 84 people2014: 84 people2015: 91 people2016: 103 people2017: 137 people2018: 169 people2019: 155 people2020: 181 people2021: 160 people2022: 199 people2023: 229 people2024: 261 people

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 United Arab Emirates is 261 people, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 14.0% on the previous year and up 210.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates peaked at 580 people in 2012 and was at its lowest, 5 people, in 1998.

That places United Arab Emirates 131st out of 204 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 United Arab Emirates, year by year

Annual values for Refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates, 1998 to 2024.
Year people Change
1998 5 people
1999 5 people +0.0%
2000 17 people +240.0%
2001 18 people +5.9%
2002 29 people +61.1%
2003 16 people -44.8%
2004 69 people +331.2%
2005 31 people -55.1%
2006 260 people +738.7%
2007 305 people +17.3%
2008 255 people -16.4%
2009 411 people +61.2%
2010 418 people +1.7%
2011 484 people +15.8%
2012 580 people +19.8%
2013 84 people -85.5%
2014 84 people +0.0%
2015 91 people +8.3%
2016 103 people +13.2%
2017 137 people +33.0%
2018 169 people +23.4%
2019 155 people -8.3%
2020 181 people +16.8%
2021 160 people -11.6%
2022 199 people +24.4%
2023 229 people +15.1%
2024 261 people +14.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 5 people 5 people 5 people 2
2000s 141.1 people 16 people 411 people 10
2010s 230.5 people 84 people 580 people 10
2020s 206 people 160 people 261 people 5

Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates

  1. 128 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 283 people compare
  2. 129 Italy 263 people compare
  3. 129 Mauritius 263 people compare
  4. 132 Botswana 249 people compare
  5. 133 Fiji 248 people compare
  6. 134 Hong Kong, China 240 people compare

See the full ranking of 204 places →

More population data for United Arab Emirates

All data for United Arab Emirates →

Frequently asked questions

What is refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates?
Refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates was 261 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 United Arab Emirates?
The highest recorded value was 580 people in 2012.
What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in United Arab Emirates?
The lowest recorded value was 5 people in 1998.
How does United Arab Emirates rank for refugees by country of origin?
United Arab Emirates ranks 131st out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
Over the last ten years it is up 210.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United Arab Emirates 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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Refugees by country of origin in United Arab Emirates. Statizoid, drawing on UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 03 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/refugee-population-by-country-or-territory-of-origin-2/united-arab-emirates/

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About this data

Indicator
Refugees by country of origin
Unit
people
Source
UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
204 places, 7,190 data points, 1960–2024
Last refreshed

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.