Global displacement falls for first time in decade, but long-term refugee crisis persists
The UN refugee agency reported that 5.4 million people were newly displaced worldwide in 2025, marking the first annual decline in a decade, while 14.7 million refugees and internally displaced people returned home. Major returns occurred in Syria and Afghanistan following policy changes and political shifts, though returnees face significant challenges including insecurity and infrastructure damage. The UNHCR aims to halve the number of refugees in protracted displacement by 2035 through job creation and education initiatives.
According to UNHCR's latest report released June 11, 2026, global displacement declined in 2025 for the first time in ten years, with 5.4 million newly displaced persons compared to higher figures in previous years. The total refugee population stands at 41.6 million worldwide, including 6 million Palestinian refugees. Notably, 14.7 million refugees and internally displaced people returned home—a 50% increase from the previous year and the second-highest return figure since 1965. The largest returns were to Syria (1.3 million, nearly triple the prior year following Bashar al-Assad's fall in December 2024) and Afghanistan (2.9 million, including 1.9 million refugees, driven by stricter policies in Iran and Pakistan). However, returnees face severe obstacles including ongoing insecurity, infrastructure destruction, weak economies, and limited services. The report also highlights emerging displacement crises in 2026, with 3.2 million temporarily displaced in Iran following U.S.-Israeli strikes and approximately 1 million displaced in Lebanon since March 2 due to Israeli military operations.
What different sources said
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Number of forcibly displaced people dips to 118 million: UN
- Al JazeeraLeft
One in 70 people worldwide is forcibly displaced: UNHCR
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Number of forcibly displaced people dips to 118 million: UN
- The HinduCenter
UNHCR says fewer people displaced worldwide in 2025 but long-term refugee crisis persists
- The Straits TimesCenter
UNHCR says fewer people displaced worldwide in 2025 but long-term refugee crisis persists
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