Global forced displacement declines for the first time in a decade

Thursday 11 June 2026 - 07:00

For the first time in ten years, the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide has recorded a decline, according to recent data released by the United Nations refugee agency. Despite this positive development, humanitarian organizations warn that the global displacement crisis remains one of the most significant challenges facing the international community.

At the end of 2025, approximately 117.8 million people were living in situations of forced displacement due to armed conflicts, violence, persecution, human rights abuses, or severe public disorder. This represents a decrease of about 5.4 million people compared with the previous year. More than half of those affected remained displaced within their own countries rather than crossing international borders.

The reduction is largely linked to an increase in the number of refugees and internally displaced persons returning to their places of origin. Significant returns were reported in countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Syria. However, humanitarian experts caution that many of these returns occurred under difficult circumstances, with limited access to security, basic services, employment opportunities, and adequate infrastructure.

While some displaced populations have returned home, the number of people seeking international protection continues to rise. The backlog of asylum applications has grown worldwide, leaving millions of applicants waiting for decisions on their cases. Humanitarian agencies emphasize the importance of maintaining fair and efficient asylum procedures to protect individuals fleeing conflict and persecution.

Statelessness also remains a concern, affecting millions of people who lack legal nationality and often face barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of movement.

During 2025, several countries generated particularly high numbers of refugees. Sudan and Ukraine were among the largest sources of cross-border displacement, followed by Venezuela, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Afghanistan, Mali, and Myanmar. At the same time, millions of displaced people returned to countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Myanmar.

Another notable trend was the decline in refugee resettlement opportunities. After reaching historically high levels in previous years, admissions to resettlement programs decreased in 2025, partly due to reduced intake by several major host countries. This development has widened the gap between the growing needs of vulnerable refugees and the solutions available to them.

The beginning of 2026 has also been marked by ongoing instability in parts of the Middle East. Conflicts and security challenges in countries such as Lebanon and Iran have influenced migration patterns and contributed to additional returns of Syrian and Afghan nationals, often under challenging conditions.

Although the overall number of forcibly displaced people has fallen, international organizations stress that durable solutions remain limited. Continued efforts from governments, humanitarian agencies, and international partners will be essential to address the root causes of displacement and ensure safe, voluntary, and sustainable returns for affected populations.