According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the number of displaced people worldwide decreased for the first time in a decade last year. The organization reported in Geneva on Thursday that approximately 5.4 million people fled violence and persecution to other countries in 2025. Simultaneously, 14.7 million displaced persons returned to their regions of origin.
The report detailed that the overall number of refugees dropped by three percent, standing at 41.6 million people. Afghanistan, Syria, and certain regions of Sudan saw the largest numbers of returnees. However, the UNHCR noted that many individuals did not return voluntarily and faced challenging conditions upon their arrival. Furthermore, nearly 46,000 stateless people in 24 countries were granted citizenship.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih called upon the international community to establish long-term perspectives for refugees. He noted that 70 percent of all refugees have been in exile for years, and many live below the poverty line. Salih announced a new initiative aimed at reducing the number of long-term refugees dependent on humanitarian aid by more than half within the next decade. This focus will be particularly placed on low- and middle-income countries that currently host the majority of global refugees.
