Zambia: immigration

How many refugees are there in Zambia?

Zambia hosted 83,225 refugees and 12,906 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. Most refugees were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (64,792), followed by Burundi (11,682) and Somalia (4,719), according to the breakdown by origin.

UNHCR also counts 18,210 other people of concern in Zambia. Its figures are compiled from government and UNHCR registration data and published once a year. For all foreign-born residents, the World Bank estimates an international migrant stock of 249,205 in 2024.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population data, Zambia as country of asylum, 2025 · UNHCR: Refugees in Zambia by country of origin, 2025 · World Bank: International migrant stock, Zambia

How many immigrants live in Zambia?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Zambia was 1.2%, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 0.8% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Zambia is 34th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 148th highest.

How many people move to Zambia each year?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Zambia at 6,562 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 49,945; its low point was 2022, at -8,566. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; Zambia is 6th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 46th highest.

How many refugees does Zambia host?

83,225: that is the number of refugees in the country in Zambia for 2025, according to UNHCR. The peak was 155,718 in 2005 and the low 23,584 in 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 35,241; Zambia is 16th highest of 45. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 55th highest.

How many refugees have fled Zambia?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 346. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 41st highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 12,726. World rank, highest first: 123rd of 189.

How big are remittances in Zambia's economy?

In 2025, personal remittances received in Zambia was 1.4% of GDP, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 13th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.6% of GDP. Worldwide: 73rd of 127.