Chapter 3 Refugee returns (millions) Figure 10 | Refugee returns | 1992-2018 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 ‘92 ‘94 ‘96 ‘98 ‘00 ‘02 ‘04 have specific assistance or protection needs linked to their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without discrimination on account of their displacement. Solutions to displacement for refugees and IDPs should be addressed jointly. For the purposes of statistical reporting, however, the return of IDPs to their locality of origin is discussed in Chapter 4, and the remainder of this chapter will focus on durable solutions for refugees. ‘08 ‘10 ‘12 ‘14 ‘16 ‘18 worked with States to facilitate numerous voluntary repatriation programmes that enabled millions of refugees to return home, assisted with small-scale and individual repatriations, and contributed to the reintegration of returnees to ensure that their return was a sustainable solution. During 2018, the number of refugees who returned to their countries of origin stood at 593,800. This constitutes a decline compared with 667,400 in 2017, especially given that the refugee population has continued to increase. Thus, this figure represents a further decline as a proportion of the global refugee population [Figures 10 and 11]. In 2018, UNHCR observed a number of selforganized returns, sometimes under pressure, to areas where circumstances were partially improving but where peace and security were not fully established. Such challenging situations often are not conducive to a safe and dignified repatriation. For returns to be sustainable, it is critical that they do not take place precipitously or prematurely in the absence of conditions for sustainable reintegration. Although UNHCR does not promote returns to countries of origin in such circumstances, the Office nevertheless recognizes the right of all individuals to return voluntarily to their country of origin and monitors the progress of returns while also advocating for improved conditions. Voluntary repatriation remains the durable solution of choice for the largest number of refugees and requires appropriate measures to ensure that any choice is voluntary, free from coercion, and based on objective information with conditions allowing safe and dignified returns. Over the years, UNHCR Refugees returned to 37 countries of origin from 62 former countries of asylum during 2018, as reported by UNHCR offices and after reconciliation of departure and arrival figures. It should be noted that countries of origin reported only arrivals of returning refugees with no distinction between those who Returns 28 ‘06 unhcr > Global trends 2018