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Brazil Registers Historic Growth In The Number Of Refugees In 2024, With Strong Presence Of Venezuelans And Cubans, Revealing New Challenges And Changes In Migratory Flows And Welcoming Policies, According To Updated National Report From The Government.
Brazil recorded, throughout 2024, a significant increase in the number of asylum requests, establishing itself as one of the main destinations for migrants in vulnerable situations on the South American continent.
Official data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security indicate 68,159 asylum requests made just this year, representing an increase of 16.3% compared to the 58,628 requests recorded in 2023.
The national report “Asylum In Numbers,” released on June 13, 2025, reveals that, in light of the intensification of political, economic, and social crises in neighboring and distant countries, Brazil has come to be seen as a viable refuge, especially by Venezuelans and Cubans.
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Venezuelans And Cubans Drive Asylum Requests In Brazil
According to the latest survey, Venezuelans led the requests in 2024, with 27,150 requests, keeping Brazil as a priority destination amid the continued humanitarian, economic, and political crisis in Venezuela.
Cubans surprised by taking the second position, showing the highest proportional jump: there were 22,288 requests, a number 84.2% higher than the 12,101 requests made by citizens of Cuba in 2023.
The third largest group of applicants was formed by Angolans, who registered 3,421 asylum requests.
The numbers indicate that the migratory route to Brazil, previously dominated by South American and African citizens, has gained a new profile in recent years, particularly since 2015.
The search for international protection by Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Angolans accounted for 82.6% of the total requests made in the last decade, consolidating the preference of these groups for the country.
Profile Of Refugees In Brazil: Gender And Nationality
The report indicates that most asylum requests were made by men, who represented 59.1% of applicants in 2024, while women accounted for 40.9%.
Brazilian legislation, aligned with the 1951 Geneva Convention, considers refugees to be individuals who are compelled to leave their countries due to persecution motivated by factors such as race, religion, nationality, belonging to a specific social group, political opinion, wars, and armed conflicts.
From 2015 to 2024, Brazil received 454,165 asylum requests from people of 175 different nationalities, indicating the diversity of the migratory flows arriving in the national territory.
Of this total, the predominance of Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Angolans reflects not only geographic proximity and historical ties but also the worsening of crises in their countries of origin.
Growth In The Number Of Recognized Refugees
By December 2024, the country accounted for 156,612 officially recognized refugees, an increase of 9.5% compared to the number recorded in the previous year, which was 142,980 people.
Only in 2024, the National Committee For Refugees (Conare) granted refugee status to 13,632 individuals, reinforcing Brazil’s leading role in humanitarian protection in Latin America.
Countries Of Origin And Highlighting Venezuelans
Among the officially recognized refugees, 93.1% are Venezuelans, a group that has led the ranking since 2017, when the Brazilian government began to adopt facilitated procedures for requests originating from the neighboring country.
In addition to Venezuelans, Conare recognized, in 2024, the right to asylum for citizens coming from Afghanistan, Colombia, and Syria, highlighting the breadth of the flows and Brazil’s openness to migrants from different regions in risk situations.
This scenario of a significant increase in asylum requests reflects both the worsening of international crises and the perception of Brazil as a place of opportunity and welcome.
Factors such as the open-door policy, support from international entities, the expansion of public integration policies, and the relative institutional stability of the country contribute to Brazil being viewed as an alternative for those seeking international protection.
Challenges For The Welcoming Of Refugees In Brazil
In light of the growing migratory flows, Brazil faces the challenge of strengthening and expanding policies for integration, access to health, education, housing, and labor market insertion to ensure that refugees have dignified conditions to rebuild their lives.
Organizations such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and various NGOs work in partnership with the federal government, states, and municipalities to address the most urgent demands of these groups.
Additionally, the increase in asylum requests also requires advancements in combating xenophobia, discrimination, and misinformation about the rights of refugees.
Monitoring migratory flows and protecting policies are essential strategies to ensure that Brazil meets the international commitments undertaken and offers effective humanitarian welcome.
Perspectives And Public Policies For The Future
According to experts, the trend is that Brazil will continue to be a relevant destination for asylum seekers, especially given the instability in countries like Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Angola, and Afghanistan.
Data from 2025 indicate that migratory pressure is likely to remain high, sparking discussions about strengthening national migration policies.
The growth in asylum requests also raises questions about the ability of Brazilian cities to accommodate and integrate so many foreigners, particularly in the North and Southeast regions, where most requests are concentrated.
What innovative solutions and policies can be adopted to ensure a balance between humanitarian welcome and social integration of refugees in Brazil?
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