People seek asylum for a variety of reasons. They may be fleeing armed conflict, environmental disasters, political instability, human rights violations or persecution due to their religious beliefs, ethnicity, sexual orientation or political opinions.

The right to seek asylum has been part of international relations since the 1940s, prompted by the horrors of the Holocaust. More people are forced from their countries today than any time since World War II, reflecting a human rights crisis that is exacerbated by climate change and a host of other factors. National Geographic Explorer Bradley Secker, based in Istanbul, Turkey, documents stories of asylum and migration through his photography. Secker often focuses on themes of identity, sociopolitical actions and the concept of "home."

People face danger as they travel across borders in search of safety. Crossing physical barriers, such as mountains or rivers, too often results in tragedy, and people seeking asylum are at a higher risk of human trafficking and exploitation. Syrians who have sought refuge in Turkey are among those who have experienced violence from authorities. Although some people seeking asylum, such as those displaced by the Ukrainian-Russian war, are welcomed by other countries, many more are detained or turned away. It is not always clear which countries will allow or deny refugees entry; for example, many people fleeing Afghanistan were denied entry into the United States following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

People seeking asylum are representative of a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances, and often make significant contributions to a country's economy and culture. Yet, people seeking asylum often face xenophobia, racism and discrimination in their new country.

This map layer was created with data downloaded from the United Nations Refugee Agency’s Refugee Data Finder tool. In this case, the mapmakers made the choice to only include the five countries with the largest number of people seeking asylum in 2020 and the top five places where people from those countries sought asylum.

There are people in host countries who work to welcome immigrants and people seeking asylum. You can help in the following ways:

• Volunteer with, raise funds for, or donate to a reputable nonprofit organization that works to help people seeking asylum
• Donate goods (household, clothing, school supplies, etc.) to people arriving in your country as refugees
• Stay informed and advocate on behalf of people seeking asylum
• Raise awareness of the issues facing newcomers and people seeking asylum
• Learn the stories of people seeking asylum
• Welcome newcomers and people seeking asylum who have resettled in your area