Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported a 3% decline in the global refugee population in 2025, bringing the total to 41.6 million—the first reduction in a decade. In 2025, about 5.4 million people fled violence and persecution across borders, while 14.7 million displaced individuals—including 4.4 million refugees and 10.3 million internally displaced persons—returned to their countries or areas of origin. Notable increases in returns occurred in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Syria, though UNHCR noted many returns took place under pressure and in precarious conditions.
Nearly 46,000 stateless persons acquired nationality across 24 countries in 2025. Most refugees originated from Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Major hosting countries included Colombia, Germany, and Türkiye.
The report also highlighted a sharp decrease in resettlement arrivals, which fell by more than half year-on-year to 81,800, widening the gap between available resettlement places and needs. UNHCR emphasized that asylum and protection are essential but not sufficient.
UN High Commissioner Barham Salih stressed the need for a shift away from reliance on humanitarian aid, as 70% of refugees remain in long-term displacement and below the poverty line. He outlined an initiative to reduce by more than half the number of refugees dependent on aid over the next decade, focusing on voluntary returns, humanitarian visas, relocation, education, healthcare, financial services, and labor market access, especially in low- and middle-income host countries.