Indonesia: immigration

How many refugees are in Indonesia?

Indonesia hosted 7,374 refugees and 4,697 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR's population statistics. UNHCR also recorded 2,639 stateless people.

Indonesia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, so UNHCR registers asylum seekers and decides refugee claims there. Most refugees wait in Indonesia for resettlement to a third country. Asylum seekers are people whose claims are still pending. The figures are compiled by UNHCR.

Official sources: UNHCR: population statistics, Indonesia, 2025

Where do refugees in Indonesia come from?

Afghans were the largest group of refugees in Indonesia at the end of 2025, at 3,956, according to UNHCR's population statistics by origin. They were followed by people from Myanmar (889), Somalia (806), Sri Lanka (356) and Sudan (303).

Myanmar nationals were also the largest group of asylum seekers, at 1,817, ahead of Afghans at 902. UNHCR counts people by country of origin; asylum seekers are those whose claims have not yet been decided.

Official sources: UNHCR: population statistics by origin, Indonesia, 2025

How many foreign-born people live in Indonesia?

Indonesia had about 445,700 international migrants in 2024, according to the World Bank's international migrant stock indicator, based on UN estimates. The figure was about 306,700 in 2020.

The migrant stock counts people living in a country other than the one where they were born, including refugees. Relative to Indonesia's population of more than 280 million, this is well under 1%. The estimates are produced every few years from censuses and population registers.

Official sources: World Bank: international migrant stock, Indonesia

How many foreigners does Indonesia deport?

About 5,310 foreign nationals were deported from Indonesia in 2026 up to mid-October, and 3,950 of them were placed on an entry ban list, according to the Directorate General of Immigration in a release of 12 October 2026.

Deportation is an administrative measure for foreigners who break immigration rules, such as overstaying or working without the right permit. The figures are counted by the immigration authority and are separate from criminal prosecutions. The directorate also reported immigration revenue of Rp8.68 trillion by 12 October, 101.88% of its 2026 target.

Official sources: Directorate General of Immigration

How much money do Indonesian migrants send home?

Indonesia received US$17.6 billion in personal remittances in 2025, according to the World Bank's remittances indicator, up from US$16.0 billion in 2024. That was about 1.2% of GDP.

Remittances are mostly money sent home by Indonesians working abroad. The World Bank figures are based on balance of payments data. Transfers through informal channels are not fully captured, so the true amount may be higher.

Official sources: World Bank: personal remittances received, Indonesia

What share of Indonesia's population are immigrants?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Indonesia was 0.2% in 2024. That compares with 0.1% in 2015. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.1%; Indonesia is 26th highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 184th highest.

What is net migration in Indonesia?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -39,509. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at -11,248; its low point was 2008, at -81,364. East Asia & Pacific median: -373; Indonesia is 26th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 168th of 193.

How many refugees does Indonesia host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 7,374. The peak was 10,786 in 2018 and the low 82 in 2005. It is 6th highest of 18 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 631. World rank, highest first: 98th of 169.

How many refugees come from Indonesia?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 9,215. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 34,722; its low point was 2024, at 9,172. East Asia & Pacific median: 73; Indonesia is 5th highest of 29. Worldwide: 63rd of 189.

How big are remittances in Indonesia's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Indonesia at 1.2% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 1.9% of GDP; its low point was 2011, at 0.8% of GDP. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2% of GDP; Indonesia is 11th highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 77th of 127.