Central African Republic: immigration

How many refugees have fled the Central African Republic?

674,222 refugees from the Central African Republic were living in other countries at the end of 2025, plus 82,600 asylum seekers, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. The largest numbers were in Cameroon (277,873), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (201,324), Chad (140,062) and the Republic of the Congo (30,252).

UNHCR counted 693,488 Central African refugees a year earlier, so the number fell slightly, while 21,664 refugees returned home in 2025. The figures are reported by host governments and UNHCR and are revised as registration data are updated.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

How many people are displaced inside the Central African Republic?

427,479 people were internally displaced within the Central African Republic at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder, down from 469,342 a year earlier. UNHCR also counted 183,922 internally displaced people who returned home during 2025.

Internally displaced people have fled their homes but remain inside the country, often because of armed conflict. The figures are compiled with humanitarian partners and the authorities through displacement tracking, so they are estimates that change with security conditions.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

How many refugees live in the Central African Republic?

The Central African Republic hosted 55,307 refugees and 8,454 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, up from 45,108 refugees a year earlier, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Most were from Sudan (40,204), followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6,363), Chad (5,013) and South Sudan (3,326).

The rise is mainly in refugees from Sudan. The UNHCR representative also took part in the 2026 census technical committee, according to ICASEES, which should help count refugee populations in the new census.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder · ICASEES: RGPH-4 provisional results presented

How many people claim asylum in the Central African Republic?

10,198 new asylum applications were lodged in the Central African Republic in 2025, up from 8,226 in 2024, according to UNHCR's refugee data. Sudanese made 9,837 of them.

10,014 people were recognised as refugees in 2025, UNHCR reports, most on a group basis as people fleeing the war in Sudan. Many arrive in the north-east, in Vakaga prefecture. The National Commission for Refugees (CNR) registers asylum seekers with UNHCR.

Official sources: UNHCR's refugee data · UNHCR reports

How many foreign-born people live in the Central African Republic?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in the Central African Republic at 1.8% in 2024. It is 26th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.2%. World rank, highest first: 132nd of 193.

What is net migration in the Central African Republic?

-14,693: that is net migration in the Central African Republic for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at -13,604; its low point was 2014, at -174,051. It is 34th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -5,646. Worldwide: 141st of 193.

How many refugees does the Central African Republic host?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in the Central African Republic at 55,307 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 35,241; the Central African Republic is 19th highest of 45. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 60th highest.

How many refugees come from the Central African Republic?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in the Central African Republic was 674,222, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 759,187; its low point was 2005, at 42,875. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; the Central African Republic is 5th highest of 48. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 9th highest.