LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The United Nations has reported the first decline in global refugee numbers in more than 10 years, highlighting that millions remain trapped in long-term displacement with limited prospects for rebuilding their lives.
According to the latest Global Trends Report released by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the global refugee population fell by three percent in 2025 to 41.6 million people.
The report also showed that 5.4 million people were forced to flee violence, conflict and persecution by crossing international borders during the year.
Speaking at a news briefing in New York, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the overall number of forcibly displaced people declined for the first time in a decade, although the humanitarian situation remains alarming.
A key factor behind the decline was a sharp increase in returns with the report revealing that 14.7 million displaced people returned to their home areas or countries in 2025, including refugees and internally displaced persons.
Major return movements were recorded in war torn Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria.
However, Dujarric cautioned that many of those returns took place under difficult conditions.
“Refugee returns were the second highest since records began 60 years ago, though many occurred under pressure and to precarious conditions at home. 70 percent of refugees trapped in exile for years and many living below the poverty line,” he said.
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The report further showed that more than 70 percent of the world’s refugees originated from just six countries, including Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela.
Notably, Colombia, Germany and Türkiye remained among the largest host countries for refugees.
Despite the increase in returns, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih warned that millions remain dependent on humanitarian assistance.
He called on governments and development partners to support a new initiative aimed at reducing long-term displacement over the next decade.
“We cannot accept a future in which millions of refugees remain trapped for years or decades without realistic prospects of rebuilding their lives. Asylum and protection are lifesaving and not up for debate,” Salih noted.
The report also highlighted a significant decline in refugee resettlement opportunities.
Arrivals through resettlement and sponsorship programmes dropped by more than half to about 81,800 people in 2025, widening the gap between available spaces and growing humanitarian needs.
While the latest figures suggest some progress, UN officials insist that lasting solutions will require stronger international cooperation, expanded protection pathways and greater investment in helping displaced people rebuild their futures.
