At least 123.2 million people worldwide—or roughly one in every 67 individuals—are currently forcibly displaced, according to a new report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The figure represents a 7 million increase—or 6 percent—compared to the end of 2023, continuing a grim 13-year trend of rising global displacement.
However, the UN agency noted a slight dip in early 2025, estimating that forced displacement dropped to 122.1 million by the end of April.
“We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “We must redouble our efforts to search for peace and find long-lasting solutions for refugees and others forced to flee their homes.”
Of the 123.2 million forcibly displaced individuals:
- 73.5 million are internally displaced people (IDPs), those who have fled their homes but remain within their own countries. This marks an increase of 6.3 million from 2023, and IDPs now make up 60 percent of the global displaced population.
- 42.7 million are classified as refugees, a slight decrease of 613,600 from the previous year.
- 31 million fall under the protection of the UNHCR.
- 5.9 million are Palestinian refugees served by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
- An additional 5.9 million individuals are recognized as needing international protection.
The decline in the refugee population is attributed to revised estimates of Afghan, Syrian, and Ukrainian refugees. Meanwhile, Sudanese refugees increased by almost 600,000, bringing their total to 2.1 million as conflict in Sudan intensifies.
In Gaza, UNRWA reports that more than 90 percent of the population—over two million people—have been displaced amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
The number of asylum seekers, or those awaiting decisions on claims for protection in another country, now stands at 8.4 million, up 22 percent from last year.
