Gabon: immigration

How many refugees are there in Gabon?

Gabon hosted 166 refugees and 86 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The number of refugees was 272 in 2021.

Refugees are people whose claims for protection have been accepted. Asylum seekers are still waiting for a decision. UNHCR's figures are based on data from host governments. They do not include migrants who come to Gabon for work. The Directorate General of Documentation and Immigration (DGDI) handles visas and residence permits, but its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many people from Gabon seek asylum abroad?

At the end of 2025 there were 984 refugees and 402 asylum seekers from Gabon worldwide, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The number of refugees has risen each year since 2021, when it was 620.

The number of asylum seekers fell from 909 at the end of 2024, which can reflect decisions on pending claims as well as fewer new applications. Refugees are counted by the country that granted them protection, and asylum seekers by the country handling their claim. These numbers are small compared with the total number of Gabonese living abroad for study or work, which UNHCR does not measure.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

What share of Gabon's population are immigrants?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 17.7%. In 2015 the figure was 18.6%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Gabon is 1st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 193.

How many people move to Gabon each year?

In 2025, net migration in Gabon was 1,116, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from 987 (2022) to 19,973 (2012). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -5,646, and Gabon placed 12th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 61st of 193.

How many refugees does Gabon host?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in Gabon was 166, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 35,241; Gabon is 38th highest of 45. Worldwide: 141st of 169.

How many refugees come from Gabon?

984: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Gabon for 2025, according to UNHCR. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 35th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 12,726. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 189.

How much are remittances to Gabon?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2015, is 0.1% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.1% of GDP (2013) to 0.3% of GDP (2010). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 1.9% of GDP; Gabon is 41st highest of 42. World rank, highest first: 158th of 169.