Refugee Realities
The number of forcibly displaced people has increased from 42 million in 2009 to 117.8 million at the end of 2025.
That means that 1 in every 70 people in the world are forcibly displaced by war, persecution, and gross violations of human rights.
For the first time in a decade, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide decreased as of the end of 2025. There were 5.4 million fewer uprooted people than at the end of 2024, a decrease of 4%.
68% of the world's refugees are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.
Colombia hosts more refugees than any other country in the world (2.8 million).
50% are women and girls. 39% are children.
Failing Solutions
The world offers 3 solutions to forced displacement:
RETURN home. But this requires that the causes of displacement have been resolved. The UN has identified 1,300 protracted refugee producing situations in the world, some of which have lasted for decades. Returning home is not an option for the vast majority of refugees.
INTEGRATE into their country of refuge. 68% of the world's refugees are hosted by low- and middle-income nations that are economically and socially unable to absorb the people seeking refuge within their borders.
RESETTLE to another country. But during an average year, less than 1% of the world's refugee population is resettled. Few countries are willing to help by offering the resettlement option to refugees.
Take the Next Step
Are you looking for resources that will help you get a well-informed perspective concerning refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people (IDP) that you can also share with others? Visit the IAFR Toolbox where you will find the resources below along with many more!