The total number of refugees worldwide has increased significantly since 2012, underlining an increasing intensity in violent conflicts over the past decade. The number of people that sought refuge in European countries rose from seven million in 2021 to more than 12 million as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that year. By comparison, the numbers were 6 million in the Americas and 6.8 million in Asia and the Pacific. As of the end of 2022, the highest number of refugees in the world came from Syria.
Number of refugees worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by region of asylum
(in millions)
Data includes people in refugee-like situations. This is defined by the source as "groups of people who are outside their country or territory of origin and who face protection risks similar to those of refugees but for whom refugee status has, for practical or other reasons, not been ascertained."
*Numbers from 2012 to 2021 were estimated by Statista, numbers for 2022 were taken from this report.
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Statista, & UNHCR. (June 14, 2023). Number of refugees worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by region of asylum (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368975/refugee-population-world-region-asylum/
Statista, und UNHCR. "Number of refugees worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by region of asylum (in millions)." Chart. June 14, 2023. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368975/refugee-population-world-region-asylum/
Statista, UNHCR. (2023). Number of refugees worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by region of asylum (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368975/refugee-population-world-region-asylum/
Statista, and UNHCR. "Number of Refugees Worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by Region of Asylum (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 14 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368975/refugee-population-world-region-asylum/
Statista & UNHCR, Number of refugees worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by region of asylum (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368975/refugee-population-world-region-asylum/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Number of refugees worldwide from 2012 to 2022, by region of asylum (in millions) [Graph], Statista, & UNHCR, June 14, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368975/refugee-population-world-region-asylum/
