Population figures
Total country population
52,340,774
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
1,356
Asylum-seekers:
29,305
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
6,976,227
Other people in need of international protection:
2,828,121
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
876,000
Others of concern to UNHCR
676
Country context
Colombia has a long history of hosting refugees and migrants, particularly from neighboring countries affected by conflict and instability. As of 2024, Colombia is home to a significant number of refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from Venezuela, as well as displaced populations from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), and other regions. These populations reside in both urban areas such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, and in rural regions across departments such as Norte de Santander, La Guajira, and Nariño, often near the Venezuelan border.
The country’s legal and policy framework for refugee protection has seen significant advancements, including the 2021 asylum law, which allows for the protection of refugees, stateless individuals, and other vulnerable groups. Refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Colombia face various challenges, particularly in accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment. Although legal frameworks generally guarantee equal treatment of refugees and nationals, barriers to their integration persist due to limited resources, infrastructure gaps, and discrimination.
...Colombia’s refugee population includes significant numbers of Venezuelans who have fled their country’s crisis. The government’s Temporary Protection Status (TPS) has granted over 2 million Venezuelans the right to reside and work in the country. However, despite this, many refugees continue to face challenges in accessing formal employment, healthcare, and financial services, with ongoing xenophobia and discrimination being additional barriers. Vulnerable groups, including children and women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, are particularly at risk of exploitation, including gender-based violence and labor abuse.
Internally, Colombia struggles with one of the largest internally displaced populations globally. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing conflict, with armed groups exerting social control over many regions, particularly in the rural areas. Displaced populations often face difficulties in accessing legal recognition, and indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, who are already marginalized, are disproportionately affected by displacement.
Protection challenges in Colombia also stem from limitations in the refugee status determination (RSD) process, which can take years for cases to be resolved, leaving asylum seekers in prolonged uncertainty. The legal and policy processes to integrate refugees, returnees, and other displaced persons into the country’s social fabric remain a work in progress, with significant efforts needed to streamline asylum procedures, enhance local and national capacities, and address the socio-economic inclusion of displaced persons.
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