This figure represents an 8% increase compared to the previous year and is a historical record since UNHCR began collecting these statistics.
According to the UN, approximately 20 people are forced to leave everything behind every minute to escape conflict situations. Of these displaced individuals, around 40% are children and adolescents, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of this population.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, emphasized that behind these alarming numbers lie numerous human tragedies. He underscored the urgent need for the international community to act to address the root causes of forced displacement and alleviate the suffering of those affected.

The UNHCR report was released shortly before World Refugee Day, celebrated on June 20, a date intended to honor the resilience and courage of refugees worldwide, as highlighted by the UN.
The crisis in Syria remains the largest source of refugees globally, with 13.8 million people displaced inside and outside the country due to the ongoing civil war that has lasted for 12 years. Another major focus of displacement is Sudan, where nearly 11 million people have been forced to leave their homes due to civil war by the end of 2023.
Afghanistan has experienced a significant wave of displacement, with more than 6.4 million people seeking a better life after the Taliban took power in 2021. In Venezuela, over 7 million people have left the country due to the economic collapse under President Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power since 2013.
William Spindler, a spokesperson for UNHCR in Geneva, described the situation in Venezuela as a complex crisis encompassing economic, political, security, human rights, and health aspects that have affected the country for several years.
According to the UNHCR spokesperson, the latest data shows that around 7.7 million Venezuelans have left their country for various reasons. Most of these individuals found refuge in Colombia, the United States, Spain, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries, including Brazil.
The impact of this migration has been particularly significant in Colombia, where Venezuelans have generally been well received and have integrated into local society. They have access to job opportunities, basic services, and the possibility to regularize their status in the host country.
According to Spindler, the presence of Venezuelans in host countries has had a positive influence. He emphasizes that these migrants contribute to the local economy through taxes and the establishment of small businesses, bringing valuable human capital, including education and skills that enrich the communities where they settle.
These often underestimated positive aspects are supported by studies showing that refugees not only seek safety and opportunities in new countries but can also significantly contribute to the development of those nations.
The global refugee situation continues to reflect significant crises in various parts of the world. With the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the number of Ukrainian refugees reached 6 million by the end of 2023, according to the UNHCR report. At the same time, the war in Gaza has displaced up to 1.7 million people, representing 75% of the population of the Gaza Strip, many of whom have been displaced multiple times, according to UNRWA.
Of the 120 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, 23 million are on the American continent, accounting for approximately 19% of the global total of refugees. William Spindler emphasizes that contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of these refugees are in Latin America and not in the United States.
In addition to the crisis in Venezuela, there is growing concern in Central America, particularly regarding displaced persons from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala fleeing conflicts, wars, and violence. Spindler notes that many of these individuals are displaced within their own countries, a phenomenon that occurs both in the Americas and worldwide.
These data underscore the complexity and scale of refugee crises globally and the ongoing need for coordinated international efforts to protect and support the millions of people affected by forced displacement.
The situation in Mexico is unique due to its role as a source, transit, and destination country for refugee communities. According to the spokesperson for the refugee agency, Mexico is one of the countries receiving the most asylum applications not only from the Americas but worldwide.
Mexico’s reception policy has been described as very generous, although it faces pressure from the United States to limit the movements and attempts of displaced individuals wanting to cross the shared border.
This dynamic places Mexico in a challenging position. In response, UNHCR is working with local authorities and private companies on a project to mitigate the concentration of refugees and migrants in economically underdeveloped regions. The goal is to relocate them to wealthier areas where there are better employment opportunities and integration prospects.
These measures aim not only to reduce the pressure on border areas and vulnerable communities but also to facilitate a more effective and sustainable integration of refugees in Mexico, providing them with conditions to rebuild their lives with dignity and safety.
The crisis in Haiti is characterized by ongoing political instability, poverty, and widespread gang violence that controls large parts of the country. According to William Spindler, this situation has led to about 690,000 Haitians leaving their country, many of whom left years or decades ago, particularly after the devastating earthquake in 2010 and other natural disasters. Many have settled in South America, particularly in Chile and Brazil.
With the effects of the pandemic, many Haitians lost their livelihoods and chose to migrate to the United States, facing challenges such as crossing the Darién jungle, sometimes with children born in Brazil, Chile, and other South American countries.
Currently, due to internal conflicts in Haiti, the majority of the displaced are seeking refuge in the neighboring Dominican Republic, with some aiming to reach the United States by sea. However, Spindler emphasizes that most Haitians displaced by violence remain within their own country.
It is crucial to distinguish between refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers: a refugee is someone forced to leave their country due to war, persecution, or natural disasters, while migrants move voluntarily to another country to improve their living conditions. Asylum seekers are individuals seeking international protection due to persecution or risk of persecution in their home country.
The term “migrant” is used to refer to all people in motion who have not yet completed the legal asylum process. This group includes individuals fleeing war-torn countries who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people seeking job opportunities and a better life who are categorized by governments as economic migrants.
In 2023, the number of refugees tripled compared to the previous decade, driven by conflicts and violence worldwide. Children made up 40% of refugees in 2023, with estimates suggesting that between 2018 and 2023, two million of them were born as refugees. The majority of refugees, 69%, were taken in by neighboring countries of conflict zones.
Five countries—Iran, Turkey, Colombia, Germany, and Pakistan—host 40% of the world’s refugees. However, it is important to note that these estimates do not include precise demographic details, including individuals in similar situations who need international protection.
The issue of migration has become politically polarized in several regions, particularly in the United States and the European Union, where political parties have used it to gain voters by amplifying public fear of migration.
William Spindler, spokesperson for UNHCR, emphasizes that countries have a legal obligation to provide protection to refugees who are persecuted in their home countries. He highlights that these individuals have the right to seek asylum, and host countries must ensure their protection.
Spindler warns of the serious risks refugees face when they are denied the opportunity to seek asylum, such as human rights violations, torture, imprisonment, and even death in their home countries. He emphasizes that the overwhelming majority of forcibly displaced persons live within their own countries or in neighboring countries.
It is important to note that 75% of all refugees and displaced persons worldwide live in low- or middle-income countries, rather than in wealthier nations such as the United States, Canada, and Western European countries.