UNHCR reports decline in number of displaced people for the first time in ten years

Return movements at record level – but not always voluntary

The report also points out that 70 percent of refugees worldwide have been living in exile for at least five years. Many of them depend on humanitarian aid and live below the poverty line. Most are hosted in poor neighbouring states of their countries of origin, UNHCR emphasises.

UN High Commissioner Barham Salih described the decline as modest but welcome news. At the same time, he warned: "I consider it a violation of human dignity when people are stuck like this and dependent on humanitarian aid," says Barham Salih. The Kurdish-Iraqi UN High Commissioner for Refugees knows what he is talking about: "I was a refugee myself."

Salih: "Every number represents a life, a home, a community"

Salih warned against reducing refugees to statistics. "Every number represents a life, a home, a community," he said. He stressed: "Asylum and refugee protection save lives and must not be up for debate." For refugees, survival comes first, but flight too often permanently shapes their reality.

From UNHCR's perspective, the situation of long-term displaced people remains one of the greatest challenges. Humanitarian aid saves lives, but it does not enable people to shape their own lives. We need a fundamental shift to offer hope and opportunities to people fleeing war and persecution, Salih continued.

Fewer resettlement places despite growing need

At the same time, the number of new displacements fell in the past year. Around 5.4 million people fled to other countries in 2024 as a result of violence and persecution. The number of resettlement places – that is, places made available by host countries for particularly vulnerable refugees – fell significantly, however. According to the report, last year just under 82,000 particularly vulnerable refugees found places in host countries through UNHCR's so-called resettlement programme. That is less than half the number in 2024.

Initiative: Halving long-term displacement by 2035

Against this backdrop, Salih presented a new UNHCR initiative. "We want to halve the number of long-term displaced people who depend on aid by 2035," the High Commissioner announced. The goal is achievable through access to education and work for refugees, as well as humanitarian visas and return assistance. "Of course, peace is the foundation," says the High Commissioner. The initiative is directed at governments, aid organisations, the private sector and civil society.

Salih called on other states to participate, for example through resettlement, family reunification, work visas and scholarships for refugees. "I know this is ambitious. I know it exceeds the means and resources of UNHCR. But I call on the international community to join in," he said. He emphasised that, as a refugee, he had benefited from the international protection system and been given opportunities for integration and education.

Focus on poor neighbouring countries

The initiative focuses on low- and middle-income countries that host the bulk of the world's refugees. It aims to ensure that refugees can earn an income above the poverty line of their host country and move from emergency aid to economic self-sufficiency. We cannot accept a future in which millions of people remain for years or decades without any real prospect, Salih said.

In addition, the report highlighted that almost 46,000 stateless people in 24 countries acquired a nationality in 2024. UNHCR chief Salih stressed in conclusion that a turnaround towards less displacement is only possible through political will and international cooperation. Reducing displacement is a shared responsibility, he said.