Global Report 2024

• Despite system improvements in many countries, pending asylum applications rose by 22% in 2024, reaching 8.4 million worldwide.
• During the year, 3.1 million new individual asylum applications were lodged, while 835,600 people were recognized on a group basis and 954,600 were granted temporary protection.
• In many contexts, asylum systems were under pressure from mixed flows, where people without international protection needs used asylum procedures to regularize their stay in the absence of migration alternatives.
• UNHCR supported asylum systems to uphold procedural safeguards: in 66 of 74 countries reporting data, most people had access to legal representation during asylum procedures.
• In 63 of 75 countries, asylum-seekers had access to an effective appeal mechanism – a key component of a fair refugee status determination process. 

• By the end of 2024, 149 States were party to either or both the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.  
• In Africa, 48 States were party to the 1969 OAU Convention, while in the Americas, 15 countries had adopted the broader refugee definition of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration into domestic law. These regional instruments complement global protection standards.
• Despite progress, UNHCR data showed that one-third of 151 countries and territories with refugee-related legislation had laws not yet aligned with the 1951 Convention or 1967 Protocol, nor were they actively progressing toward alignment.
• São Tomé and Principe and South Sudan acceded to the statelessness conventions in 2024, bringing the total to 99 States parties to the 1954 Convention and 81 to the 1961 Convention.
• Still, in 54 of 149 countries assessed, national legal frameworks remained misaligned with the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. 

• In 2024, gender-based violence was assessed as a severe or extreme risk in 22 of 25 countries experiencing humanitarian crises. The conflict in Sudan has been catastrophic for women and girls, with the number of people in need of gender-based violence services reaching 6.7 million by the end of 2023 and increasing further in 2024.
• UNHCR data from 65 countries showed that only 61% of refugees and asylum-seekers knew how to access gender-based violence-related services.
• Encouragingly, in 85% of reporting countries, most refugees and asylum-seekers did not condone violence against women – marking a slight positive shift compared to 2023.
• UNHCR supported 290 specialized partners in 2024 – 65% were local partners, while it partnered directly with 91 women-led organizations, including those led by refugee women.
• UNHCR’s programmes addressing violence against women and girls reached over 1.7 million people in 86 countries, including nearly 1 million refugees in countries such as Bangladesh, South Sudan and Uganda, and 514,000 IDPs in countries such as the DRC, Mozambique and the Syrian Arab Republic.

• In 2024, child protection needs remained acute, with an estimated 56 million forcibly displaced and stateless children globally. Escalating conflicts and chronic underfunding further strained systems in countries like Ethiopia, Chad and Uganda.
• Over 218,000 unaccompanied and separated children were registered globally, including more than 52,000 in South Sudan and over 20,000 each in Ethiopia and Uganda.  
• UNHCR and partners supported more than 1.5 million children and caregivers in 78 countries through critical child protection services such as the Best Interests Procedure (BIP). However, coverage declined: in 2024, only 17 countries supported over 75% of children in need through BIP, compared to 21 in 2023.
• Alternative care arrangements were provided to over 117,000 unaccompanied and separated children. In 39 of 59 reporting countries, most of such children were placed in safe care.
• Community-based child protection initiatives reached 4.9 million children, complemented by positive parenting sessions for caregivers. 

• In 2024, restrictive border and asylum policies in several countries led to increased detention of asylum-seekers and refugees, including children. This included detention on entry or pending deportation, often in poor conditions and without procedural safeguards.
• UNHCR recorded the detention of 31,166 asylum-seekers and refugees and 1,654 stateless persons across 56 countries, but this is likely a fraction of the real number due to limited data availability.
• Only a few countries, such as Colombia and Ecuador, refrained entirely from detaining people on immigration grounds.
• UNHCR continued to advocate for legal safeguards, access to counsel, and alternatives to detention. In 2024, 1.4 million forcibly displaced and stateless people received legal assistance in 101 countries.
• In South Sudan, UNHCR and partners provided legal services in 54,000 cases and legal representation before courts in 136 cases. In Mexico, UNHCR’s network of legal partners across 19 states provided 164,000 people with legal information and assistance on asylum procedures and family reunification. 

• In 2024, 66 of UNHCR’s operations supported the participation of refugees and asylum-seekers in UNHCR programmes, with 36 of those – including in Lebanon, South Sudan and the Syrian Arab Republic – offering “extensive” support.  
• 4.3 million forcibly displaced and stateless people used UNHCR feedback channels in 133 countries, up from 2.5 million in 2023.
• 263,300 people were involved in participatory assessments across 122 countries.
• Community structures were supported in 75 countries; 251 grants were signed with community-based organizations in 43 countries.
• 29 refugee-led organizations received $1.1 million for community-led initiatives.
• Over 123,000 persons with disabilities and 52,000 older persons received targeted support. 

• In 56 out of 80 reporting countries, the majority of refugees and asylum-seekers received no material support, and in 19 out of 24 countries, less than a quarter of IDPs in need were reached.  
• Despite these constraints, UNHCR helped improve the well-being and resilience of millions through targeted cash assistance, relief distributions and financial inclusion.
• $650 million in cash was delivered to 5.3 million people in 103 countries: 95% of it unrestricted. 96% of recipients said cash improved their living conditions.
• Cash promoted dignity, choice, and financial inclusion in countries like Afghanistan, Jordan, Mexico and Ukraine.
• Relief items reached 6 million people in 66 countries via stockpiles and six airlifts.
• UNHCR supported 1 million refugees with clean cooking fuels and technology, since many refugee-hosting communities rely primarily on firewood for fuel.
• UNHCR supported 133,900 displaced households to use liquefied petroleum gas for cooking, in countries such as Algeria, Bangladesh and Rwanda. 

• Despite funding constraints, UNHCR supported 2.6 million people across 66 countries with emergency, transitional and durable housing solutions, prioritizing cash assistance to help displaced people meet rent and repair needs.
• 2.6 million people received shelter assistance in 66 countries.
• Most support was delivered as cash, notably in Afghanistan, Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen.
• 323,884 emergency shelters were provided or maintained in countries like Sudan, Ukraine and Bangladesh.
• 20,495 households received transitional shelter support.
• 5,226 durable shelters built in 8 countries, including Afghanistan, Sudan and the Syrian Arab Republic.
• 119 km of roads and drainage systems built or rehabilitated to improve settlement conditions. 

• Despite uneven access, UNHCR and partners helped over 13 million people access care. Gains were recorded in mortality rates, skilled birth attendance and malnutrition screening.
• 13 million refugees and stateless people accessed health, nutrition and MHPSS services.
• 15.5 million consultations were conducted in 63 countries; 57% were for women and girls.
• Crude and under-five mortality rates declined to 0.13 and 0.07/1,000/month, respectively.
• Skilled birth attendance rate was stable at 93%; 70% of countries met the 90% target.
• 2.55 million people were screened for acute malnutrition in 30 countries.
• Over 261,000 children and 30,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women were treated for acute malnutrition.
• Over 297,000 mothers/caregivers were reached with maternal and child nutrition awareness.
• One in 10 refugee children suffered acute malnutrition; one in three was stunted.
• Nearly one in three deaths in refugee settlements were among children under five. 

• In 2024, refugee children continued to face significant barriers to education, particularly beyond primary school.  
• UNHCR focused on supporting inclusion in national systems and improving access through data, policy engagement, and programming across 76 countries.
• 2.1 million forcibly displaced people benefited from UNHCR education programmes.
• Primary and secondary enrolment among refugees remained far below the global average. Only 7% of refugee youth were enrolled in tertiary education, with just seven countries meeting the 15% tertiary enrolment target, out of 48 countries reporting data. Tertiary enrolment reached just 7%; only 7 out of 48 countries met the 15% global target.
• In 2024, only 46% of refugee children were enrolled in national systems, down from 51% in 2023. 

• 7.7 million people were supported with water and/or sanitation services in 33 countries.
• 85% of refugees in 35 countries had access to basic drinking water – up from 84% in 2023.
• Only 53% had access to a safe household toilet – down from 63% in 2023.
• UNHCR delivered an average of 18 litres of water per person/day, still below the 20-litre standard.
• In Chad, over 11,000 latrines were built and emergency water systems deployed.
• In South Sudan, hygiene promotion reached more than 283,700 people.
• In Sudan, UNHCR supported over 585,000+ people with hygiene promotion and 102,440 women and girls with menstrual hygiene kits. 

• Over 469,000 people were supported with economic inclusion and livelihoods interventions in 96 countries.
• Only 45% of refugees and asylum-seekers had practical access to labour markets, despite 67% having legal access.
• In 40 of 61 countries, most refugees lacked a bank, financial or mobile money account.
• In 51 of 58 countries, refugee incomes showed no positive change in 2024.
• Kenya’s “Shirika Plan” marked a shift from subsistence to inclusion, recognizing refugee documents for work permits.
• UNHCR drove policy reform and data generation through partnerships with the World Bank (JDC), IFC, ILO and others. 

• In 2024, 1.6 million refugees and 8.2 million internally displaced people returned home – the highest return figures in years. Still, global displacement continued to rise, and returns often occurred under precarious conditions.
• Over 690,000 refugee returnees were supported by UNHCR, including 293,000 South Sudanese and 145,000 Syrians.
• 288,000 IDPs were assisted with reintegration, nearly half in the Syrian Arab Republic.
• Over 353,000 people received counselling or information on voluntary return in 104 countries.
• Return assistance included cash, legal documentation, shelter, water, sanitation, and health services.
• In 8 of 12 countries surveyed, at least 75% of returnees had a legal ID – key for reintegration.
• In South Sudan, UNHCR monitored 405,000 spontaneous returns, mainly from Sudan, despite not promoting returns to the country. 

• 2024 saw record-high departures, but needs still far outstrip available places, underscoring the urgency of expanding quotas, reducing administrative hurdles and creating more work-, study- and family-based routes.
• 188,800 refugees were resettled by States in 2024, +19% compared to 2023 and the highest on record.
• 116,500 arrivals were facilitated by UNHCR (highest since 2016) after 203,800 submissions to 23 countries.
• Women and girls at-risk made up 50%+ of UNHCR submissions; main destinations were the USA, Canada and Australia.
• Needs dwarf supply: arrivals covered <5% of the 2.4 million refugees requiring resettlement.
• Complementary pathways expanded: Italy issued work visas to refugees; education pilots were launched in Australia and Slovenia; NGO direct referrals were piloted. 

• 88,900 refugees were naturalized in 2024 – the highest since 2009 and nearly triple 2023 levels; most were in Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Armenia.
• UNHCR helped over 115,600 people access nationality, permanent residency or naturalization procedures across 67 countries.
• Refugees had full access to social protection in only 10 of 118 countries (8%); 74% offered partial or limited access; 18% excluded them entirely.
• Among 60 countries, only 10 provided high coverage (over 75%) to refugees; half covered fewer than 25%.
• In Ukraine, an “Access Study” found lack of information was the top barrier to social protection for internally displaced people.
• UNHCR supported inclusion through livelihoods, vocational training and employment, and bolstered refugee-led integration efforts via an NGO Forum.

• $80 million was mobilized for climate action in 2024, with funding split between weather-related emergency response ($20 million) and resilience/environmental projects ($57 million) – nearly double the climate funding raised in 2023.
• The Climate Resilience Fund was launched, alongside strategic partnerships like the Green Financing Facility, backed by the IKEA Foundation.
• Through Project Flow, UNHCR began solarizing water systems and health facilities for 1.2 million people across Ethiopia, Mauritania, Rwanda and Sudan – expected to save fuel costs and cut 1,400 tons of CO₂ each year.
• The Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund launched large-scale pilot projects to reforest 20,000 hectares and provide 45,000 households with clean cooking solutions in Uganda and Rwanda, reducing protection risks and creating refugee-driven carbon credits.
• In Bangladesh, climate-smart upgrades included watershed management for 10,000 refugees, the planting of 800 trees, and electrification of 52 sites.
• In Pakistan, improved water infrastructure and solarized communal facilities provided 8,600 kW of clean energy, reduced 5,300 tonnes of CO₂, and supported 500,000 people. 

• UNHCR scaled up protection and assistance to IDPs in over 30 countries, guided by its 2024–2030 Strategic Plan for IDPs and new operational guidance drawing on recent lessons. The strategy promotes access to legal frameworks, services, and sustainable solutions, with a focus on IDPs’ participation and a protection-centered humanitarian approach.
• UNHCR co-led humanitarian coordination for IDPs as global Cluster Lead for Protection, Shelter, and Camp Coordination/Camp Management (CCCM).
• Contributed to a 2024 Inter-Agency Standing Committee review that led to an updated policy clarifying the roles of governments and humanitarian actors in IDP protection.
• Created an IDP law and policy dashboard to track global progress.
• Supported the development and implementation of IDP legal frameworks in Honduras, Chad, and the Philippines, and conducted technical missions in Colombia, Mexico, and Moldova.
• Contributed to legal and policy reforms to improve IDP protection in Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Ukraine. 

The “route-based approach” responds to these challenges, and sees UNHCR working closely with States, IOM, other UN agencies, civil society partners, migrant and refugee organizations, and other stakeholders. It is built around six pillars:

• Entry and admission
• Asylum systems and migration management
• Protection and assistance, and anti-trafficking
• Inclusion and development
• Return, voluntary repatriation and reintegration
• Safe, regular and complementary pathways

• By the end of 2024, UNHCR had identified 4.4 million stateless people across the globe – a figure similar to the previous year. However, 47,200 people were able to acquire or confirm a nationality in 2024, thanks to sustained advocacy and legal reforms.  
• Thailand took a historic step by approving a resolution to fast-track nationality and legal status for over 484,000 stateless people, a move expected to unlock access to education and employment.
• Turkmenistan became only the second country in the world to resolve all known cases of statelessness in its territory.
• Malaysia adopted a constitutional amendment allowing women to confer nationality on their children born abroad – a major step toward gender equality in nationality laws.
• In Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Japan, Georgia, Colombia and Mali, important legal reforms strengthened protection and access to rights for stateless individuals.
• A UNHCR-World Bank study showed the positive impact of nationality on the Shona community in Kenya, with citizenship leading to less discrimination, improved financial access, job security, and health care.
• 26 countries improved national policies and procedures to prevent or reduce statelessness, surpassing UNHCR’s annual target by more than 70%.
• Key reforms included expanding access to civil registration and identity documentation in countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Haiti, the Philippines, Venezuela, Zambia, and many others.

This approach seeks to reduce reliance on humanitarian aid while unlocking the potential of displaced communities and their hosts, boosting their economic resilience. It prioritizes nationally-led strategies and draws on multi-stakeholder pledges made at Global Refugee Forums to enhance local service delivery, particularly in areas such as health, education, social protection, and employment. The approach includes:

• Supporting solutions and conditions for return
• Advancing self-reliance and inclusion
• Expanding third-country solutions and regional cooperation
• Building strategic enablers and partnerships

• In 2024, the European Union supported solutions from the onset of new crises in Chad and Ethiopia, and returnee reintegration in Afghanistan, Burundi and South Sudan.
• With Germany’s BMZ, UNHCR helped develop policies and new joint programmes to advance refugee inclusion in Ethiopia (Makatet Roadmap) and Kenya (Shirika Plan), and supported gender-based violence and mental health initiatives in Mozambique through the Nexus Norte project.
• In Zambia, JICA supported area planning in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa, and jointly promoted education pathways for refugees in Syria and Afghanistan.
• KOICA contributed to returns in Myanmar, shelter upgrades in Jordan, and refugee women’s entrepreneurship in Cameroon, in partnership with the ILO.
• With Enabel (Belgium), UNHCR co-designed an agropastoralism project in Mauritania and worked on integrating forcibly displaced people into development programming in Burkina Faso.
• France’s AFD expanded its support for forcibly displaced communities, including in the Sudan crisis response, as part of a €150 million commitment (2023–2027).
• The PROSPECTS Partnership entered its second phase, backed by €800 million from the Netherlands, to strengthen inclusion, resilience and self-reliance in eight countries, including Egypt, Sudan and Uganda.