Italy: number of refugees 1992-2023

In 2023, Italy hosted 298,000 refugees. Since 1998, the number of refugees in Italy experienced an increase. This figure only refers to the total number of people whose refugee status has been recognized. In 2022, the number of asylum applications amounted to 84,000. However, data show that the majority of asylum applications submitted in Italy receive a negative response.

Migration to Italy in the 1990s

In the early 1990s, refugees from the Balkans and from North Africa represented the largest immigrants' groups to Italy. After the fall of Communism in Albania in 1990, migration flows from the country to Italy grew significantly. Indeed, nowadays, the Albanian residents in Italy represent the second-largest foreign population in the country. Similarly, Moroccans are among the largest foreign population in Italy.

Migration to Italy in the last decade

Nowadays, Middle-East and African countries are among the places of origin of most people receiving refugee status in Italy. More specifically, Nigerian and Pakistan were the three main nationalities of refugees in Italy in 2019. Similarly, people from Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan were those receiving the largest number of humanitarian protection in the country.

Number of refugees in Italy from 1992 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Characteristic	Number of refugees in thousands
2023	298.3
2022	296.2
2021	144.9
2020	128
2019	207.6
2018	189.2
2017	167.3
2016	147.4
2015	118
2014	93.7
2013	76.3
2012	64.8
2011	58.1
2010	56.4
2009	55
2008	47.1
2007	38.1
2006	26.9
2005	20.7
2004	15.7
2003	12.8
2002	10.1
2001	8.6
2000	6.8
1999	6
1998	5.5
1997	66.6
1996	64.7
1995	74.3
1994	73.1
1993	50.3
1992	9.3

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Release date

June 2024

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Region

Italy

Survey time period

1990 to 2023

Supplementary notes

The source adds the following information: "In UNHCR statistics, refugees include individuals recognized under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees; its 1967 Protocol; the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa; those recognized in accordance with the UNHCR Statute; individuals granted complementary forms of protection; or, those enjoying "temporary protection".
Since 2007 the refugee population category also includes people in a refugee-like situation, most of who were previously included in the Others of concern group."
More information about the methodology can be found here.

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