Malaysia: Refugee population

The latest value from 2023 is 135872 refugees, an increase from 134554 refugees in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 233913 refugees, based on data from 159 countries. Historically, the average for Malaysia from 1977 to 2023 is 74226 refugees. The minimum value, 145 refugees, was reached in 1993 while the maximum of 141580 refugees was recorded in 1978. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

Definition: Refugees are people who are recognized as refugees under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, people recognized as refugees in accordance with the UNHCR statute, people granted refugee-like humanitarian status, and people provided temporary protection. Asylum seekers--people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and who have not yet received a decision or who are registered as asylum seekers--are excluded. Palestinian refugees are people (and their descendants) whose residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who lost their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. Country of asylum is the country where an asylum claim was filed and granted.