| UNHCR

Welcome to UNHCR’s Refugee Population Statistics Database

The database contains information about forcibly displaced populations spanning more than 70 years of statistical activities. It covers displaced populations such as refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people, including their demographics. Stateless people are also included, most of who have never been displaced. The database also reflects the different types of solutions for displaced 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 as far as 1951, the year UNHCR was created.
Data provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (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.

52%

originate from just three countries

Over half of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and other people in need of international protection come from just three countries.

Syrian Arab Republic	6.5 million
Afghanistan	6.1 million
Ukraine	5.9 million

3.4 million

hosted in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Türkiye

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Türkiye each hosted 3.4 million refugees, the largest populations worldwide. 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

43.3 million

are children

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.

1.9 million

children were born as refugees

Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 385,000 children were born as refugees per year.

463,500

refugees returned or were resettled

Some 404,000 refugees returned to their countries of origin during the first half of 2023 while 59,500 were resettled (with or without UNHCR’s assistance).

75%

hosted in low- and middle-income countries

Low- and middle-income countries host 75 per cent of the world’s refugees and other people in need of international protection. The Least Developed Countries provide asylum to 20 per cent of the total.

4.4

million stateless people

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%

hosted in neighbouring countries

69 per cent of refugees and other people in need of international protection lived in countries 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 demography and the solutions some of them found.

1.	Refugees, asylum-seekers and other people in need of international protection by country of origin
2.	Refugees, asylum-seekers and other people in need of international protection by host country
3.	Demographics of refugees
4.	Solutions for the last 10 years (2013 - 2023)
5.	New asylum applications registered during 2023