9 numbers to know from the Asia and the Pacific Regional Trends report 2024

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific today released its Regional Trends: Forced Displacement and Statelessness 2024 report, presenting an in-depth view of the key figures, data and statistics concerning people who have been forced to flee their homes and those without a nationality as of the end of 2024.

The report follows on from the release of UNHCR’s flagship Global Trends report 2024, published in June 2025.

Here are nine numbers to know from the regional report:

1) 17.3 million protected and/or assisted by UNHCR

By the end of 2024, Asia-Pacific hosted some 17.3 million people protected and/or assisted by UNHCR, including refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees, and internally displaced and stateless people – a 10% percent increase from 2023.

2) 47% are children

While children represented only 27% of the total population in Asia and the Pacific at the end of 2024, a concerning 47% of those who were forcibly displaced or stateless in the region were children.

3) 7.2 million refugees and asylum-seekers

The number of refugees, people in a refugee-like situation and asylum-seekers increased by 82% over the last decade – from 4 million people in 2015 to 7.2 million in 2024 – largely as a result of the situations in Afghanistan and Myanmar.

4) 6.9 million internally displaced people

The region saw a significant increase in the number of internally displaced people, which more than doubled over the last decade – from 2.9 million to 6.9 million (+141%) – with much of the increase occurring in Myanmar due to a renewed escalation of violence in the country.

5) 99% hosted in low- and middle-income countries

The vast majority of refugees and people in a refugee-like situation are hosted in low- and middle-income countries as classified by the World Bank, while over 1 million are in countries that are listed as Least Developed Countries by the United Nations Statistics Division. These countries already face major development challenges, which makes it even harder to provide adequate support for refugees. Greater international support is needed – especially from wealthier nations – to help these host countries.

6) 94% hosted in countries neighbouring their country of origin

Contrary to popular belief, most people fleeing conflict and persecution prefer to stay close to their countries of origin, so they can return home when it’s safe to do so. These countries tend to be low- and middle-income countries.

7) 365,200 refugee returnees

In 2024, nearly all refugee returnees were Afghans returning to Afghanistan. In 2025, mass returns – many occurring under pressure – are deepening a crisis in a country already on the brink. Immediate needs include emergency shelter, legal assistance, protection for women and girls, mental health support and emergency financial aid.

8) 2.5 million stateless people

By the end of 2024, Asia and the Pacific hosted more than half of the world’s stateless population. The Rohingya – a mainly Muslim minority from Myanmar who have faced persecution for generations – made up 69% of the region’s stateless population. Nearly all displaced stateless people in the region were from this community.

9) Only 30% of funding has been received

In 2025, UNHCR needs $957.9 million to carry out its work in Asia and the Pacific. By the end of June, only 30% of that funding had been received. Cuts to humanitarian budgets have hit all sectors and operations. UNHCR remains grateful to donors who have stepped up to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches those most in need.

Behind these numbers are real lives, hanging in the balance.

Read the full report here: Asia and the Pacific Regional Trends - Forced Displacement and Statelessness 2024