Afghanistan: Migration statistics, policy and news
Missing Migrants Banner
Missing Migrants

IOM has recorded the deaths of more than 1,600 Afghans on migratory routes across Asia and Europe since 2014. It is likely that many more go unrecorded. 

Visit the page
Afgh Pic_Women
Gender

Gender shapes every stage of the migration experience. For Afghan women and girls, gender-based discrimination and violence as well as a disproportionate impact from the decades-long economic and political instability have been strong drivers of migration and displacement. For other gender groups, gender-based persecution influences their reasons to migrate.

Visit the page
Operational Data

With its strong field presence in Central and South Asia, IOM and other UN agencies collect and analyze data on human mobility relevant to Afghanistan. From longitudinal surveys to baseline mobility assessments, data collection efforts cover topics like Afghan returnees, IDPs, drivers of migration and more.

Visit the page

Afghanistan’s recent security developments have implications for migration and mobility on a nation that has already experienced more than 40 years of conflict, persistent natural disasters, chronic poverty and food insecurity. 

The reports, data, and news on this page are a collection of public source information pertaining to Afghanistan and are relevant to a wide range of migration topics. The featured content does not constitute an endorsement of the content nor reflect the views of IOM, its donors and its partners.

Data Corner
CTA 2
Missing Migrants

IOM has recorded the deaths of more than 1,600 Afghans on migratory routes across Asia and Europe since 2014. It is likely that many more go unrecorded. 

Learn more
Internal Displacement
DTM EET Update

This section features data on IDPs. Internal displacement continues to be a multipronged challenge in Afghanistan due to ongoing conflict, renewed insecurity as well as recurring natural disasters. While some of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their homes, many continue to live in protracted internal displacement.

Learn more
Operational Data

With its strong field presence in Central and South Asia, IOM and other UN agencies collect and analyze data on human mobility relevant to Afghanistan. From longitudinal surveys to baseline mobility assessments, data collection efforts cover topics like internal displacement in Afghanistan, Afghan returnees, drivers of migration and more.

Learn more

Click on the infographic for details and to access the Global Migration Data Portal's interactive dashboard for more data on Afghanistan.

Afghan migrants by sex, mid-2020-small

Afghan migrants, by sex

as of mid-year 2020
Destination regions of Afghan migrants, mid-2020-small

Main destination regions of Afghan migrants

as of mid-year 2020
Main destination countries of Afghan migrants, mid-2020-small

Main destination countries of Afghan migrants

as of mid-year 2020

Afghan refugees and undocumented Afghans

as of March 2022

First-time asylum applications by Afghans

between 2015 and 2021

Remittances received in Afghanistan

in 2021
new IDPs afghanistan

Afghans internally displaced

in 2021
SMALL_Total IDPs afghanistan

Total internally displaced Afghans

as of December 2021
Policy Response
policy-responses-spotlight

Countries have implemented varying policy responses and actions to the ongoing and deteriorating social, economic, political and security situation in Afghanistan. While some countries have offered resettlement to Afghans, others have increasingly securitized their borders.

Learn more
Humanitarian Response

From the United Nations to national governments and civil society, various actors are responding to Afghanistan’s humanitarian, economic, political and security needs and challenges.

See More
Gender

Gender shapes every stage of the migration experience. For Afghan women and girls, gender-based discrimination and violence as well as a disproportionate impact from the decades-long economic and political instability have been strong drivers of migration and displacement. For other gender groups, gender-based persecution influences their reasons to migrate.

Learn more
Diaspora

Afghan communities spread throughout the world play an important role in shaping the flow of people leaving Afghanistan. From providing aid, relief measures and sharing information, diasporas are a crucial tool for development. 

View Diaspora Page

Disclaimer: This webpage curates public information and data. The opinions expressed in this webpage are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nor its Member States and other stakeholders. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the webpage do not imply expression of any opinion or endorsement whatsoever on the part of IOM, its Member States and other stakeholders concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries. While the portal section "Afghanistan: Migration statistics, policy and news" has been made possible with funding from the European Union, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Switzerland, the contents on this section do not necessarily reflect their official policy or position.

German humanitarian assistance