Global Refugee Statistics

In 2023, an estimated 117.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing the public order. Based on operational data, UNHCR estimates that forced displacement has continued to increase in the first four months of 2024 and by the end of April 2024 is likely to have exceeded 120 million.

At a time when 1.5 per cent of the world’s population have fled their homes as a result of conflict or persecution, our work at UNHCR is more important than ever before.

Global Trends at a glance

Every year, UNHCR publishes the Global Trends report on forced displacement. We count and track the numbers of refugees, internally displaced persons, people who have returned to their countries or areas of origin, asylum-seekers, stateless people and other populations of concern. This process is extremely important in order to meet the needs of refugees and other displaced persons around the world and it helps organizations and States to plan their humanitarian responses.

Refugee Data Finder

UNHCR offers a comprehensive research database about forcibly displaced populations spanning more than 70 years.

It includes:
• Refugees, asylum-seekers and other people in need of international protection by country of origin
• Refugees, asylum-seekers and other people in need of international protection by host country
• Demographics of refugees