UN Reports Sharp Increase in Refugee Displacement
UN Reports Sharp Increase in Refugee Displacement
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a significant rise in global forced displacement, with the number reaching a record 122.6 million people by mid-2024. This marks a 5% increase from the end of 2023, when 117.3 million individuals were displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and events seriously disturbing public order. UNHCRUNHCR+3UNHCR+3UNHCR+3
This unprecedented figure means that approximately 1 in every 67 people worldwide is now forcibly displaced, nearly double the ratio from a decade ago. The surge is primarily driven by ongoing conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar, as well as the war in Ukraine and escalating gang violence in Haiti. UNHCR+1UNHCR+1UNHCR
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) constitute the majority, with an estimated 72.1 million people remaining displaced within their own countries due to conflict or violence by mid-2024—a 6% increase from the end of 2023. The global refugee population also rose to 43.7 million, including 32 million refugees under UNHCR’s mandate, 5.8 million other people in need of international protection, and 6 million Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate. UNHCR+5UNHCR+5UNHCR+5
Low- and middle-income countries continue to shoulder the burden, hosting 71% of the world's refugees and other people in need of international protection. Notably, countries neighboring conflict zones, such as Iran, Türkiye, Colombia, Germany, and Uganda, host over one-third of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate. UNHCR+4UNHCR+4UNHCR+4UNHCR+1UNHCR+1
The protracted nature of many displacement situations is concerning, with 66% of refugees under UNHCR’s mandate having been displaced for more than five years. Despite these challenges, only 433,600 refugees were able to return to their countries of origin during the first half of 2024, highlighting the need for durable solutions. UNHCRUNHCR+1UNHCR+1
UNHCR emphasizes the urgency of addressing the root causes of displacement and calls for increased international support to provide protection and assistance to those affected. The agency warns that without concerted global efforts, the trend of rising forced displacement is likely to continue, exacerbating humanitarian crises worldwide.