CHAPTER 1
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 8 and
1.3 million in Ethiopia. In many cases, however,
refugees and IDPs returned under adverse
circumstances in which the sustainability of
returns could not be assured.
NOTE:
The main focus of this report is the analysis of statistical
trends and changes in global displacement from January to
December 2019 among populations for whom UNHCR has
been entrusted with a responsibility by the international
community.10 The data presented are based on information
received as of 15 May 2020 unless otherwise indicated.
At the end of 2019, Syrians continued to be by
far the largest forcibly displaced population
worldwide (13.2 million, including 6.6 million
refugees and more than six million internally
displaced people). When considering only
international displacement situations, Syrians also
topped the list with 6.7 million persons, followed
by Venezuelans with 4.5 million. Afghanistan and
South Sudan had 3.0 and 2.2 million, respectively
(see Figure 2).9
The figures in this report are based on data reported by
governments, non-governmental organizations and
UNHCR. Numbers are rounded to the closest hundred or
thousand. As some adjustments may appear later in the
year in the Refugee Population Statistics online database,11
figures contained in this report should be considered as
provisional and subject to change. Unless otherwise
specified, the report does not refer to events occurring
after 31 December 2019.
During crises and displacement, children,
adolescents and youth are at risk of
exploitation and abuse, especially when they
are unaccompanied or separated from their
families (these children are referred to as
UASC). In 2019, UASC lodged around 25,000
new asylum applications. In addition, 153,300
unaccompanied and separated children were
reported among the refugee population at
the end of 2019. Both figures, however, are
significant underestimates due to the limited
number of countries reporting data.
Turkey hosted the highest number of people
displaced across borders, 3.9 million, most of
whom were Syrian refugees (92%). Colombia
followed, hosting nearly 1.8 million displaced
Venezuelans. Germany hosted the third largest
number, almost 1.5 million, with Syrian refugees
and asylum-seekers constituting the largest
groups (42%). Pakistan and Uganda hosted the 4th
and 5th largest number, with about 1.4 million each
(see Figure 3).
Figure 3 | Top international displacement situations by host country | end-2019*
Turkey
0.3
3.6
Colombia
1.8
Germany
0.3
1.1
Pakistan
1.4
Uganda
1.4
United States
0.8
0.3
Sudan
1.1
Islamic Rep. of Iran
1.0
Lebanon
0.9
Peru
0.5
0
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Venezuelans
displaced abroad
0.4
*Excludes Palestine refugees
under UNRWA's mandate.
1
2
3
4
(millions)
8
9
This figure was released by the “Commissions de mouvements de
population”, an inter-organizational mechanism which is held by
provincial authorities and humanitarian actors. It covers the period
from April 2018 to September 2019.
Excluding Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.
UNHCR > GLOBAL TRENDS 2019
10 See Chapter 7 for a definition of each population group.
11 http://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics
9