Refugees by country of origin in Zambia
Zambia: Refugees by country of origin was 337 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in Zambia, 1968–2024
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 Zambia is 337 people, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.0% on the previous year and up 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in Zambia peaked at 15,000 people in 1968 and was at its lowest, 15 people, in 1994.
Zambia ranks 121st of 204 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.
Refugees by country of origin in Zambia, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 15,000 people | — |
| 1969 | 13,000 people | -13.3% |
| 1970 | 9,000 people | -30.8% |
| 1971 | 750 people | -91.7% |
| 1972 | 750 people | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 750 people | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 4,000 people | +433.3% |
| 1975 | 750 people | -81.2% |
| 1976 | 750 people | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 1,000 people | +33.3% |
| 1980 | 1,210 people | +21.0% |
| 1981 | 1,200 people | -0.8% |
| 1982 | 1,200 people | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 1,200 people | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 1,990 people | +65.8% |
| 1993 | 1,573 people | -21.0% |
| 1994 | 15 people | -99.0% |
| 1995 | 22 people | +46.7% |
| 1996 | 39 people | +77.3% |
| 1997 | 62 people | +59.0% |
| 1998 | 75 people | +21.0% |
| 1999 | 86 people | +14.7% |
| 2000 | 91 people | +5.8% |
| 2001 | 55 people | -39.6% |
| 2002 | 84 people | +52.7% |
| 2003 | 95 people | +13.1% |
| 2004 | 119 people | +25.3% |
| 2005 | 146 people | +22.7% |
| 2006 | 199 people | +36.3% |
| 2007 | 192 people | -3.5% |
| 2008 | 191 people | -0.5% |
| 2009 | 201 people | +5.2% |
| 2010 | 221 people | +10.0% |
| 2011 | 234 people | +5.9% |
| 2012 | 240 people | +2.6% |
| 2013 | 230 people | -4.2% |
| 2014 | 309 people | +34.3% |
| 2015 | 334 people | +8.1% |
| 2016 | 256 people | -23.4% |
| 2017 | 260 people | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 266 people | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 259 people | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 252 people | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 255 people | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 296 people | +16.1% |
| 2023 | 324 people | +9.5% |
| 2024 | 337 people | +4.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 14,000 people | 13,000 people | 15,000 people | 2 |
| 1970s | 2,219 people | 750 people | 9,000 people | 8 |
| 1980s | 1,202 people | 1,200 people | 1,210 people | 4 |
| 1990s | 482.75 people | 15 people | 1,990 people | 8 |
| 2000s | 137.3 people | 55 people | 201 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 260.9 people | 221 people | 334 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 292.8 people | 252 people | 337 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More population data for Zambia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.5254 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.2495 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.5254 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.5112 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 37,460 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.52 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2967 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.5% (2100)
- Population density 86.73 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.60 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in Zambia?
- Refugees by country of origin in Zambia was 337 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 15,000 people in 1968.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 15 people in 1994.
- How does Zambia rank for refugees by country of origin?
- Zambia ranks 121st out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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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About this data
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.