Chapter 6 The limitations in the quality of statelessness data, particularly in terms of completeness and reliability, continue to limit accurate reporting of stateless populations. In some contexts, anecdotal evidence may suggest the presence of stateless individuals or populations at risk of statelessness; however, without verifiable data on their presence, number and composition, formal reporting is not possible. During 2024, several refinements to both existing and new estimates were published as more and improved data on stateless people becomes available. These reflect the identification of new sources, revisions to existing approaches or the extrapolation of previous estimates (see table 3 and the detailed footnotes in annex 4). Table 3 | Source and methodology changes for stateless population estimates | 2024 Country Previous estimate New estimate Source (See annex 4 for details) 40,000 Estimated number of stateless people based on recent studies, which does not include displaced stateless people. Namibia 14,800 A registration exercise enabled an estimate of the population that identified as stateless or who are at risk of statelessness due to documents proving nationality for the first time. Panama 940 Using census data, the stateless population has been estimated for the first time. Lebanon Rwanda 9,500 14,500 A mapping exercise led to the identification of additional populations of undetermined nationality or at risk of statelessness. South Sudan 10,500 18,000 The estimate of the population with undetermined nationality in the country has been updated. Government reported updated figures for stateless people, including refugees, asylum-seekers and those with other types of residence permits, thus avoiding the need to use previous estimates calculated by UNHCR. Sweden 18,700 6,835 Uganda 67,000 10,300 Census data supported a downwards revision of the previous estimate. 10,900 The reduction relates to a review of the methodology and the use of available up-to-date data sources. The actual scale of statelessness is, however, undetermined and is likely to be higher owing to the ongoing war, temporary occupation and large-scale forced displacement. Ukraine UNHCR > GLOBAL TRENDS 2024 37,800 59