Five Takeaways from the 2024 UNHCR Global Trends Report

According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, at the end of April 2025, the global figure exceeded 122 million people forced to flee from persecution, conflict, violence and human rights violations. While the number of people forcibly displaced globally has almost doubled in the last decade, humanitarian resources necessary to respond to forced displacement remain nearly the same. 

In 2024, fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Ukraine, South Sudan and returns to Afghanistan and Syria contributed to shifting displacement figures. With these ongoing crises continuing to drive displacement and recent funding cuts impacting the humanitarian sector, UNHCR is being pushed to the brink. 

Despite these developments in 2024, there were also moments of hope for some refugees and internally displaced people who were able to return home. No matter the circumstances, UNHCR will continue to support people forced to flee from war, violence and persecution and work towards finding sustainable solutions. 

1. By the end of April 2025, more than 122 million people were forcibly displaced.

By the end of April 2025, the number of people forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict, violence and human rights violations reached a record 122.1 million people. More than one-third of all forcibly displaced people globally come from just four countries—Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. 

The war in Sudan, which triggered one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, remains a key driver of displacement. The number of displaced people climbed to 14.3 million—11.6 million people within the country and an additional 2.1 million people to neighboring countries. Globally, nearly 10.3 million Afghans remain displaced, a slight decrease from the previous year. The war in Ukraine continues to drive displacement, with a total of 8.8 million Ukrainians forcibly displaced by the end of the year. In a surprising turn of events, the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024 significantly contributed to refugee returns to Syria. 

2. By the end of 2024, there were 42.7 million refugees — 69 percent of whom originate from just five countries.

By the end of 2024, there were 42.7 million refugees globally. Compared to a decade ago, the number of refugees under UNHCR’s mandate has more than doubled. Yet, the total number of refugees by the end of 2024 reflects a decrease from the previous year—the first year-on-year decline since 2011. This overall decrease was driven by fewer people in a refugee-like situation from Afghanistan and Ukraine, and a decrease in Syrian refugees. 

Contrary to popular belief, most people fleeing conflict and persecution remain near their countries of origin. By the end of 2024, 67 percent of refugees were hosted in neighboring countries. Low- and middle-income countries host 73 percent of the world’s refugees. Children make up 41 percent of all refugees and women and girls account for 50 percent. 

While mental health issues can affect anyone, refugees and other forcibly displaced people often face additional stressors that affect their mental health. According to a survey conducted by UNHCR, refugees in all countries are at a higher risk of experiencing depression compared to the host population. Refugees who have experienced violence, are widowed or separated from their partners or who live in adverse living conditions are more likely to experience depression. 

3. There is renewed hope of return for many displaced Syrians, but the situation remains unstable, with ongoing risks of new displacement.

Since the crisis began in Syria in 2011, approximately one-quarter of the Syrian population has been displaced by war. By the end of 2024, there were 6.1 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers and an additional 7.4 million displaced within Syria. 

On December 8, the Assad government fell, generating renewed hope for many displaced Syrians to return home. As of mid-May 2025, more than 500,000 Syrian refugees are estimated to have returned to Syria—a majority from neighboring countries. An estimated 1.2 million IDPs have also returned to their areas since the end of November 2024. An estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 2 million IDPs may return home by the end of 2025. 

Although the situation remains unstable, a recent survey indicates that of the Syrian refugees who responded, 80 percent hope to return to Syria one day while over a quarter intend to return the following year. 

UNHCR is facilitating voluntary, safe and dignified returns to Syria in response to increasing requests from refugees themselves. UNHCR urges host countries not to forcibly return Syrian refugees and to continue granting them asylum and protection until they can make informed decisions on their return. 

4. The number of IDPs grew by 9 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 73.5 million by the end of 2024. 

Most forcibly displaced people remain within the borders of their own countries. This was no different in 2024, as 60 percent of forcibly displaced people were internally displaced people (IDPs). The number of IDPs grew by 9 percent compared to the previous year and reached 73.5 million people by the end of 2024. 

There were 20.1 million new internal displacements recorded in 2024. Most of these displacements occurred in just six countries: Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Ukraine, Haiti and Lebanon. The crisis in Sudan remains the largest internal displacement crisis ever recorded with 11.6 million displaced within the country at the end of 2024. 

At least 42 percent of IDPs live in urban areas, and one-quarter live in settlements or camps, both in urban and rural areas. Women and girls make up 53 percent of all IDPs, while children account for 46 percent of IDPs globally. 

People weren’t just displaced by conflict and violence in 2024, many were also displaced by natural disasters, including extreme weather events, like floods and storms, and geophysical events, such as earthquakes. Disaster-related internal displacement accounted for 70 percent of all new displacements in 2024. 

5. There are signs of hope as 9.8 million forcibly displaced people were able to return home in 2024. 

In 2024, 9.8 million forcibly displaced people were able to return home — including 1.6 million refugees and 8.2 million IDPs. These figures mark the highest number of refugees to return home in more than two decades and the second highest number of IDPs ever. While these returns show signs of hope, many were made under duress or in adverse circumstances to countries like Afghanistan, the DRC, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria and Ukraine. 

Resettlement figures from 22 countries reported 188,000 arrivals through resettlement and sponsorship pathways. This represents the highest number of resettlement reported for more than 40 years. More than six in ten resettled refugees were supported through UNHCR’s resettlement program.

In 2024, at least 4.8 million people applied for asylum on an individual basis and were recognized through group procedures, or were granted temporary protection. This is 13 percent less than in the previous year, largely due to fewer people receiving temporary protection. The number of individual asylum applications reached the largest number ever recorded—8.4 million—the highest number ever recorded.

There were 4.4 million people estimated to be stateless by the end of 2024, similar to the previous year. Rohingya refugees represent the largest stateless population with nearly 1.8 million people. In 2024, 47,200 stateless people acquired citizenship or had their nationality confirmed. Compared to 2023, this represents a 47 percent increase in the number of people who received citizenship. 

How to help…

With more than 122 million people forced to flee their homes because of war, violence or persecution and critical emergencies adding to this figure every day — we must act in solidarity and support people seeking safety from conflict. Join USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and become our newest monthly supporter to ensure your kindness reaches refugees and vulnerable people who need it most.