North Korea: immigration
4 answers, 1 from North Korea's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
How many refugees from North Korea are there?
UNHCR counted 263 refugees and 45 asylum seekers from North Korea worldwide at the end of 2025, according to its population statistics.
UNHCR's figures cover people recognised as refugees or with pending asylum claims in host countries' systems. They do not cover everyone who has left North Korea, since people who settle under other legal statuses or who acquire another nationality are not counted as refugees. No official migration figures were found on the official DPRK sites naenara.com.kp, kcna.kp, rodong.rep.kp and mfa.gov.kp, which returned errors or could not be reached when checked on 15 October 2026.
International comparisons
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
How many people move to North Korea each year?
-2,787: that is net migration in North Korea for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at -1,585; its low point was 2018, at -3,225. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was -373, and North Korea placed 21st highest of 30. Worldwide: 102nd of 193.
How many refugees have fled North Korea?
In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in North Korea was 263, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 239 (2023) to 1,419 (2016). East Asia & Pacific median: 73; North Korea is 13th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 131st of 189.
Official bodies in North Korea
- UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency)Publishes counts of refugees and asylum seekers from the DPRK reported by host countries.
More about North Korea
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Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error