Forced displacement - a growing problem seeking solutions

September 2024

In an increasingly interconnected world, migration has emerged as one of the most pressing and complex issues. From war and persecution to climate change and economic disparities, millions of people are forced to leave their homes in search of safety, stability and better opportunities. While migration can be voluntary, today's large-scale movements of people are often driven by crisis and necessity, posing unprecedented challenges for governments, international organisations and societies.

The current landscape of global displacement

By the end of 2023, the global displacement will have reached unprecedented levels. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (Opens in a new window), there are now more than 117.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. This figure includes refugees (approx. 37.6 million), asylum seekers (approx. 6.9 million), internally displaced persons (IDPs) and others fleeing persecution, conflict, violence or human rights abuses.

A key component of this displacement is internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are uprooted within their own country's borders. In 2023, the number of IDPs stood at 68.3 million, highlighting the scale of internal conflicts and crises. In the same year, 6.1 million people were newly displaced within their own countries, a stark reminder that the burden of forced migration is often an internal national one.

In recent years large international displacement flows came from countries such as Ukraine, Sudan, Venezuela and Syria, which have seen a sharp increase in the number of people fleeing violence and instability, either internally or across international borders to seek asylum. Behind these statistics lie human stories of loss, suffering and the search for a future that remains elusive for many.