Global Displacement Reaches Record 122 Million Amid Rising Conflicts and Funding Shortfalls
The number of people forcibly displaced by war, violence, and persecution has surged to a record 122.1 million globally, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported on Thursday, warning that the situation is “untenably high” amid dwindling humanitarian aid. The latest Global Trends Report reveals that displacement rose from 120 million the previous year, continuing a decade-long trend driven by crises in Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and elsewhere.
Sudan now leads as the world’s most severe displacement crisis, with 14.3 million people uprooted — surpassing Syria (13.5 million), Afghanistan (10.3 million), and Ukraine (8.8 million). UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for intensified efforts toward peace, noting the sharp human toll of unchecked instability: “We are living in a time of intense volatility … marked by acute human suffering.”
Contrary to common perceptions, the report found that 67% of refugees remain in neighboring countries and 60% never cross international borders. Developing nations continue to shoulder the greatest burden, hosting 73% of the global refugee population. By the end of 2024, there were 73.5 million internally displaced persons and 42.7 million refugees worldwide. Despite tight funding, a notable 9.8 million people returned home in 2024 — including 1.6 million refugees, the highest return rate in over 20 years.
UNHCR is urging renewed international support for returnees, host nations, and critical humanitarian programs, stressing that such investments are vital for regional stability and long-term solutions.
