Afghanistan: Asia Pacific | Annual Regional Overview | January - December 2025

Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Myanmar, Pakistan Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached file. OVERVIEW At least 2,722 Asia–Pacific nationals died or disappeared around the world during international migration in 2025. Following the record 2,745 fatalities in 2024, this marks the second consecutive year with more than 2,700 deaths worldwide, highlighting the persistent risks faced by migrants and the urgent need to strengthen protection for people on the move. In 2025, 91 per cent of these fatalities occurred within the region, with at least 2,471 people losing their lives or going missing within the Asia–Pacific region—including 1,547 in Southern Asia, 920 in South-eastern Asia, and 4 in Eastern Asia. Most individuals whose fatalities were recorded in the Asia–Pacific region were from Afghanistan (1,492), followed by Myanmar (935), with the majority being Rohingya refugees. Most recorded incidents occurred along land routes between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as on maritime routes across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Beyond the Asia–Pacific region, at least 251 Asia–Pacific nationals died or disappeared along migration routes in other parts of the world, with the majority occurring on routes towards or within Europe. Sex and age disaggregation remains incomplete, with approximately 40 per cent of recorded fatalities in 2025 lacking information on sex and age. Accordingly, available data suggest that most Afghans who died were adult males, while a high proportion of deceased Rohingya were likely adult females and children.1 Due to the clandestine nature of irregular movements and difficulties in tracing migration fatalities, as well as data collection challenges in conflict and inaccessible areas, the actual death toll along these routes is likely much higher. Therefore, despite the large number of recorded deaths and disappearances, the Missing Migrants Project (MMP) data should be considered as the minimum estimate of the true number of migrant deaths and disappearances in the world.
2026-03-31 02:44:45