Refugee population in Brazil doubles by 2023

Brazil grants record number of refugees asylum in 2023

Brazil’s National Committee for Refugees (Conare) granted a record 77,193 people refugee status last year, bringing the total number of refugees in Brazil to 143,033 — a significant increase from the previous year.

According to a report presented by the Justice Ministry, citizens from Venezuela, Cuba, and Angola made up the majority of asylum seekers in Brazil in 2023. Out of over 58,000 asylum applications, the highest numbers came from Venezuela, Cuba, and Angola.

The majority of asylum applications were reviewed in the country’s North region, with the state of Roraima bordering Venezuela being the source of over half of the requests. The report also highlights the need to improve public policies for the growing demographic changes in the asylum seeker population, which is predominantly young.

Brazilian legislation allows foreigners to request asylum for reasons such as persecution, political issues, or human rights violations once on Brazilian soil.