Sudan: immigration

How many Sudanese refugees are there?

2,820,737 refugees and 940,297 asylum seekers from Sudan were counted at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026. At the end of 2024 the figures were 2,094,373 refugees and 682,535 asylum seekers.

Refugees have been recognised by the host country or UNHCR; asylum seekers have applied and are waiting for a decision. The two together, about 3.8 million people, show how many Sudanese people have sought protection abroad. People who fled but have not registered are not counted. UNHCR's Sudan situation page gives more recent counts for neighbouring countries.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: from Sudan · UNHCR: Sudan situation

How many people are displaced inside Sudan?

9,139,309 people were internally displaced within Sudan at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026. The figure was 11,559,970 at the end of 2024.

Internally displaced people have fled their homes but stayed inside Sudan. The fall between 2024 and 2025 partly reflects people going home: UNHCR counts 157,645 internally displaced people who returned in 2025. Displacement figures are compiled from field tracking and change quickly as people move, so the date of each figure matters. UNHCR's Sudan situation page brings together the latest counts.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: from Sudan · UNHCR population data: in Sudan

Which countries host Sudanese refugees?

Chad hosted 1,330,950 refugees from Sudan at the end of 2025, more than any other country, according to UNHCR population data by host country, read on 15 October 2026. South Sudan hosted 571,066 and Libya 551,727.

Egypt counted 37,684 recognised refugees from Sudan but 796,517 asylum seekers, so most Sudanese people there are still waiting for a decision. Ethiopia hosted 98,493 refugees and the Central African Republic 40,204. The figures count people registered with authorities or UNHCR. Libya also counted 87,439 asylum seekers from Sudan.

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

How many refugees live in Sudan?

Sudan hosted 809,816 refugees and 50,147 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026. At the end of 2024 it hosted 793,395 refugees and 44,593 asylum seekers.

These are people from other countries who have sought protection in Sudan. By country of origin, 634,954 were from South Sudan, 108,235 from Eritrea and 47,952 from Ethiopia. They are counted separately from Sudanese people displaced inside the country. Sudan both hosts refugees and is the origin of millions who have fled, so the two sets of figures should be read side by side.

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

How many Sudanese refugees have returned home?

651,456 Sudanese refugees returned to Sudan in 2025, according to UNHCR population data, read on 15 October 2026, up from 6,472 in 2024. UNHCR also counts 157,645 internally displaced people who returned to their home areas in 2025.

A returned refugee is someone who had fled abroad as a refugee and came back during the year. The count covers returns UNHCR or the authorities recorded, so returns that were not registered are left out. Returns do not mean people have gone back to their former homes, which may have been damaged. See UNHCR's Sudan situation page for more recent figures.

Official sources: UNHCR population data: from Sudan · UNHCR: Sudan situation

What share of Sudan's population are immigrants?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Sudan at 4.8% in 2024. It was 1.6% in 2015. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.2%, and Sudan placed 9th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 90th of 193.

Are more people leaving Sudan than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 291,469. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 441,623; its low point was 2023, at -1.35 million. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; Sudan is 1st highest of 48. Worldwide: 6th of 193.

How many refugees does Sudan host?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Sudan was 809,816 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 139,407 (2011) to 1.10 million (2021). It is 4th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 35,241. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 9th highest.

How many people from Sudan are refugees?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Sudan at 2.82 million in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; Sudan is 1st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 3rd of 189.

How big are remittances in Sudan's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Sudan at 0.0% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 20th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.6% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 126th of 127.