Refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 517 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom, 1994–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom is 517, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 32 years on record.
That represents a change of up 24.0% on the previous year and up 303.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom peaked at 517 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 62, in 2020.
United Kingdom ranks 118th 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 106 | — |
| 1995 | 75 | -29.2% |
| 1996 | 69 | -8.0% |
| 1997 | 75 | +8.7% |
| 1998 | 88 | +17.3% |
| 1999 | 102 | +15.9% |
| 2000 | 109 | +6.9% |
| 2001 | 104 | -4.6% |
| 2002 | 158 | +51.9% |
| 2003 | 146 | -7.6% |
| 2004 | 141 | -3.4% |
| 2005 | 134 | -5.0% |
| 2006 | 170 | +26.9% |
| 2007 | 193 | +13.5% |
| 2008 | 177 | -8.3% |
| 2009 | 150 | -15.3% |
| 2010 | 147 | -2.0% |
| 2011 | 145 | -1.4% |
| 2012 | 142 | -2.1% |
| 2013 | 140 | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 137 | -2.1% |
| 2015 | 128 | -6.6% |
| 2016 | 78 | -39.1% |
| 2017 | 85 | +9.0% |
| 2018 | 84 | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 69 | -17.9% |
| 2020 | 62 | -10.1% |
| 2021 | 81 | +30.6% |
| 2022 | 217 | +167.9% |
| 2023 | 210 | -3.2% |
| 2024 | 417 | +98.6% |
| 2025 | 517 | +24.0% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 517 is above the median for high income countries, which is 111, 4.7× the median. (70 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 517 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 422, 1.2× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +167.9% | 81 | 217 |
| 2024 | +98.6% | 210 | 417 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 85.83 | 69 | 106 | 6 |
| 2000s | 148.2 | 104 | 193 | 10 |
| 2010s | 115.5 | 69 | 147 | 10 |
| 2020s | 250.67 | 62 | 517 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More population data for United Kingdom
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1389 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0706 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 71,685 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.2666 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.169 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.184 (2100)
- Population density 307.14 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 3.21 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in United Kingdom was 517 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 517 in 2025.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 62 in 2020.
- How does United Kingdom rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- United Kingdom ranks 118th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 303.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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
CSV · JSON — 32 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).