Afghanistan: immigration

How many Afghan refugees are there?

2,671,560 refugees and 270,007 asylum seekers from Afghanistan were counted abroad at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026. UNHCR also counted 1,030,958 other Afghans in need of international protection.

At the end of 2024 UNHCR counted 5,766,586 Afghan refugees and 384,732 asylum seekers. Part of the fall reflects returns, and part reflects people being counted under the separate category of others in need of international protection in 2025. The figures do not include Afghans abroad for work or study.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: from Afghanistan

How many Afghan refugees are in Iran and Pakistan?

Pakistan hosted 1,158,538 Afghan refugees and 119,251 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, and Iran hosted 758,339 refugees, according to UNHCR population data by host country, read on 15 October 2026.

UNHCR also counted 879,500 Afghans in Iran and 140,558 in Pakistan as others in need of international protection. Germany (288,286 refugees), France (104,443) and the United Kingdom (64,160) were the largest hosts outside the region. Counts depend on each host country's registration.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: Afghan refugees by host country, 2025

How many Afghans have returned to Afghanistan?

1,947,183 Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan in 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026, up from 364,443 in 2024.

A returned refugee is someone who had fled abroad as a refugee and came back during the year. The count covers returns recorded by UNHCR or the authorities. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation is responsible for returnees.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: from Afghanistan · Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation

How many people are displaced inside Afghanistan?

3,199,023 people were internally displaced in Afghanistan at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026. The figure was 3,199,710 at the end of 2024.

Internally displaced people have fled their homes because of conflict, violence or disaster but stayed inside the country. The figure is reported by UNHCR for people of concern to it and is close to unchanged between the two years.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: in Afghanistan

How many refugees live in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan hosted 20,869 refugees and 382 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026. By country of origin, 20,828 refugees were from Pakistan.

The rest were small numbers from Iran, Tajikistan, India and Bangladesh. The counts include only people registered as refugees or asylum seekers with UNHCR or the authorities.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: in Afghanistan · UNHCR population data: refugees in Afghanistan by origin, 2025

How many immigrants live in Afghanistan?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Afghanistan was 0.2%, according to the UN Population Division. In 2015 the figure was 1.0%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.5%, and Afghanistan placed 22nd highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 184th of 193.

What is net migration in Afghanistan?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Afghanistan at -74,404 in 2025. The peak was 384,486 in 2011 and the low -851,298 in 2007. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: -376; Afghanistan is 20th highest of 22. Worldwide: 176th of 193.

How many refugees are in Afghanistan?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in Afghanistan was 20,869, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 31 (2005) to 300,421 (2014). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 15,377, and Afghanistan placed 11th highest of 22. Worldwide: 82nd of 169.

How many refugees have fled Afghanistan?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 2.67 million. The peak was 6.40 million in 2023 and the low 2.11 million in 2006. It is 2nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 7,322. Worldwide: 4th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Afghanistan?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2020, is 4.0% of GDP. Since 2008 it has ranged from 0.9% of GDP (2008) to 4.5% of GDP (2018). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.5% of GDP; Afghanistan is 7th highest of 16. Worldwide: 59th of 169.