Global forced displacement has fallen for the first time in more than a decade, according to a new report from the United Nations refugee agency. Despite the decline, millions of people remain displaced worldwide, with many facing years of uncertainty and limited opportunities to rebuild their lives.
The latest Global Trends Report from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) found that the number of refugees worldwide decreased by 3 percent in 2025, reaching 41.6 million. During the year, approximately 5.4 million people crossed international borders to escape conflict, violence, and persecution.
The report also highlighted a significant increase in refugee returns. Around 14.7 million displaced people returned to their homes or countries of origin in 2025, including 4.4 million refugees and 10.3 million internally displaced persons. Large-scale returns were recorded in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Syria, although UNHCR cautioned that many individuals returned under difficult circumstances and to unstable conditions.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih said the international community must move beyond relying solely on humanitarian assistance. With nearly 70 percent of refugees living in prolonged displacement and many struggling with poverty, he called for new solutions that provide long-term opportunities and self-reliance.
The agency is advocating for expanded access to education, healthcare, employment, and financial services, while also increasing opportunities for voluntary return, humanitarian visas, and relocation programs. At the same time, UNHCR expressed concern over a sharp decline in refugee resettlement, with global arrivals through resettlement and sponsorship programs dropping by more than half to just 81,800 people in 2025.
According to the report, more than 70 percent of the world’s refugees originated from Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Colombia, Germany, and Türkiye remained among the largest refugee-hosting countries.
While the decline in global refugee numbers marks a notable development, UNHCR stressed that lasting solutions are still urgently needed to help millions of displaced people regain stability, security, and hope for the future.
