Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 6,632 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe, 1975–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe is 6,632, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 17.1% on the previous year and down 68.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe peaked at 197,640 in 1979 and was at its lowest, 5, in 1989.
Zimbabwe ranks 71st 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 Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 14,720 | — |
| 1976 | 31,220 | +112.1% |
| 1977 | 76,520 | +145.1% |
| 1978 | 163,160 | +113.2% |
| 1979 | 197,640 | +21.1% |
| 1980 | 160 | -99.9% |
| 1981 | 190 | +18.8% |
| 1983 | 3,200 | +1584.2% |
| 1984 | 3,760 | +17.5% |
| 1985 | 4,250 | +13.0% |
| 1986 | 3,230 | -24.0% |
| 1987 | 3,830 | +18.6% |
| 1988 | 629 | -83.6% |
| 1989 | 5 | -99.2% |
| 1990 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 128 | +2460.0% |
| 1992 | 8 | -93.8% |
| 1993 | 14 | +75.0% |
| 1994 | 38 | +171.4% |
| 1995 | 37 | -2.6% |
| 1996 | 36 | -2.7% |
| 1997 | 37 | +2.8% |
| 1998 | 40 | +8.1% |
| 1999 | 40 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 109 | +172.5% |
| 2001 | 257 | +135.8% |
| 2002 | 4,024 | +1465.8% |
| 2003 | 7,154 | +77.8% |
| 2004 | 9,557 | +33.6% |
| 2005 | 11,246 | +17.7% |
| 2006 | 12,774 | +13.6% |
| 2007 | 14,366 | +12.5% |
| 2008 | 16,824 | +17.1% |
| 2009 | 22,441 | +33.4% |
| 2010 | 24,080 | +7.3% |
| 2011 | 25,033 | +4.0% |
| 2012 | 22,082 | -11.8% |
| 2013 | 19,719 | -10.7% |
| 2014 | 22,478 | +14.0% |
| 2015 | 21,332 | -5.1% |
| 2016 | 18,141 | -15.0% |
| 2017 | 17,420 | -4.0% |
| 2018 | 15,618 | -10.3% |
| 2019 | 10,045 | -35.7% |
| 2020 | 8,575 | -14.6% |
| 2021 | 8,115 | -5.4% |
| 2022 | 7,017 | -13.5% |
| 2023 | 7,460 | +6.3% |
| 2024 | 8,002 | +7.3% |
| 2025 | 6,632 | -17.1% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 6,632 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 69% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 6,632 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 52% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | +2460.0% | 5 | 128 |
| 1983 | +1584.2% | 190 | 3,200 |
| 2002 | +1465.8% | 257 | 4,024 |
| 2000 | +172.5% | 40 | 109 |
| 1994 | +171.4% | 14 | 38 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 96,652 | 14,720 | 197,640 | 5 |
| 1980s | 2,139 | 5 | 4,250 | 9 |
| 1990s | 38.3 | 5 | 128 | 10 |
| 2000s | 9,875 | 109 | 22,441 | 10 |
| 2010s | 19,595 | 10,045 | 25,033 | 10 |
| 2020s | 7,634 | 6,632 | 8,575 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More population data for Zimbabwe
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.0209 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0944 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 26,439 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.94 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5219 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.188 (2100)
- Population density 96.07 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 2.49 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Zimbabwe was 6,632 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 197,640 in 1979.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 5 in 1989.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Zimbabwe ranks 71st out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 68.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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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