The returns recorded last year are the second most numerous since records existed, 6 decades ago: in 2025, a total of 14.7 million people returned to their homes and, among them, 4.4 million refugees in other countries, some voluntarily – such as the Syrians – and others – such as the Sudanese or the Afghans – under pressure and in a precarious manner.
UNHCR points out that this drop in the number of displacements is something that has not been seen for a decade, although it recognizes that these are still “unacceptably high figures.”
Many Syrians have returned home after 13 years of war and after the fall of Al Assad, while others – such as Afghans – have suffered forced returns
In this sense, UNHCR spokesperson Paula Barrachina admits that “many of the returnees forcibly returned to places where the war has not ended, they do not have basic services and there are situations of great humanitarian dependency. And there are violations of human rights, such as the returns that have occurred from Iran or Pakistan to Afghanistan (with the Taliban government in power).
UNHCR’s annual report reveals that last year one in 70 people in the world was displaced, and 38% of them were children.
7 in 10 refugees remain trapped in exile for years
Years or entire decades trapped in displacement without real perspective. 70% of displaced people have to endure prolonged displacement, many of them living below the poverty line – according to 2025 data – which also reflects a drop in resettlement programs in the world by half.
“Humanitarian aid saves lives, but it cannot be the final destination nor does it allow displaced people to take control of their future,” recalls Braham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The silence of the international community on Sudan: the worst displaced persons crisis in the world
At this time, the worst displaced persons crisis on the planet continues to be located in Sudan, an African country where a devastating war is being waged that has turned one in three Sudanese into forcibly displaced people, with more than 12 million people forced to flee amid extreme violence. Paula Barrachina regrets the silence of the international community and remembers that, closely followed by the crisis derived from the Russian invasion of Ukraine with more than 5 million refugees around the world, 95% in European countries.
UNHCR has set a goal to halve, by 2035, the number of refugees trapped in protracted displacement situations and dependent on humanitarian aid for survival.
And on a positive note, in 2025 at least 46,000 stateless people obtained citizenship in 24 countries.
