What's happened
UNHCR's Global Trends Report shows 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2025, with 41.6 million refugees and 9.1 million displaced by the Sudan conflict. Returns rose overall but remain fragile amid ongoing violence and new displacements in the Middle East and Iran.
What's behind the headline?
Key takeaways
- Displacement trend: A roughly 4% decrease in total displaced people in 2025, reaching 117.8 million, driven by returns and citizenships.
- Refugee populations: 28.5 million refugees are hosted across the world, with Colombia, Germany and Türkiye hosting large shares.
- Returns: 14.7 million displaced people returned to areas of origin in 2025, the second-highest on record, though many did so under pressure or to compromised conditions.
- Protracted displacement: About 70% of refugees have been in exile for five years or more, raising concerns about long-term aid dependency.
- Calls to action: UNHCR aims to cut in half the share of refugees in protracted displacement by 2035 by expanding voluntary returns, education, healthcare and access to jobs.
- Regional hotspots: The Sudan conflict drives the largest IDP figure (9.1 million); ongoing turmoil in Iran and Lebanon adds to regional displacements in 2026.
- Statelessness: Progress visible with tens of thousands acquiring citizenship in 2025, yet statelessness remains a critical issue.
What this means for readers
- The displacement crisis remains acute for millions, particularly in conflict zones and host communities where services are overstretched.
- Returns are not a durable solution unless accompanied by infrastructure, safety and opportunity in home regions.
- Policy shifts toward self-reliance and education could alter how humanitarian aid is deployed in the coming decade.
How we got here
The UN refugee agency released its Global Trends Report detailing shifts in displacement, returns, and statelessness. The year 2025 saw a slight overall decline in global displacement, driven by returns and citizenship grants, but conflicts in Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan and Iran continued to force people from homes. The report highlights the need for durable solutions beyond humanitarian aid.
Our analysis
UNHCR Global Trends 2025 report; AP News coverage; The Independent summary of the same report; All Africa overview; Arab News briefing; Al Jazeera briefing.
Go deeper
- How does this affect host countries’ social services?
- What conditions are required for sustainable returns?
- Which countries plan to expand education and job access for refugees?
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