Welcome to UNHCR’s Refugee Population Statistics Database
The database contains information about forcibly displaced populations spanning more than70 years of statistical activities. It covers displaced populations such as refugees, asylum-seekers andinternally displaced people, including their demographics. Stateless people are also included, most ofwho have never been displaced. The database also reflects the different types of solutions fordisplaced populations such as repatriation or resettlement.
This website is based on three data sources:
- UNHCR data collected through its annual statistical activities with some data going back asfar as 1951, the year UNHCR was created.
- Data provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the NearEast (UNRWA).Information is limited to registered Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.
- Data provided by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre(IDMC).Information is limited to people displaced within their country due to conflict or violence.
For methodological explanations, data limitations and coverage, visit the Methodology page.
Over half of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and other people in need ofinternational protection come from just three countries.
| Syrian Arab Republic | 6.5 million |
| Afghanistan | 6.1 million |
| Ukraine | 5.9 million |
The Islamic Republic of Iran and Türkiye each hosted 3.4 million refugees, the largest populationsworldwide. Germany was third with 2.5 million, followed by Colombia with slightly less than 2.5 million,including other people in need of international protection. Pakistan hosted 2.1 million refugees.
| Islamic Republic of Iran | 3.4 million |
| Türkiye | 3.4 million |
| Germany | 2.5 million |
| Colombia | 2.5 million |
| Pakistan | 2.1 million |
At the end of 2022, of the 108.4 million forcibly displaced people,an estimated 43.3 million (40 per cent) are children below 18 years of age.
Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 385,000 children were born as refugees per year.
Some 404,000 refugees returned to their countries of origin during the first half of 2023 while59,500 were resettled (with or without UNHCR’s assistance).
Low- and middle-income countries host 75 per cent of the world’s refugees and other people inneed of international protection. The Least Developed Countries provide asylum to20 per cent of the total.
Data on some 4.4 million stateless people residing in 97 countries was reported at mid-2023.The true global figure is estimated to be significantly higher.
69 per cent of refugees and other people in need of international protection lived incountries neighbouring their countries of origin.
Last update: 24 October 2023
Refugee Data Finder
An analysis tool that contains data on forcibly displaced and stateless populations, their demographyand the solutions some of them found.
Download the Refugee Data mobile app
The UNHCR Refugee Data app showcases forced displacement and statelessness statistics over thelast 23 years by country of asylum and origin.
