Data Blog
Advancing the collection and use of data to inspire solutions for forced displacement
Clean Energy for Resilient Humanitarian Action
By Laura Argibay, UNHCR Communications Officer. 11 January 2026, Kenya. UNHCR Barham Salih in Kakuma municipality for his inaugural visit as High Commissioner. ©UNHCR/Eric Bakuli.Delivering life-saving assistance in today’s humanitarian contexts means addressing two...
Ensuring everyone counts: working together to include stateless and displaced persons in civil registration systems
In today’s interconnected world, the ability to prove one’s identity isn’t just a legal formality—it’s a fundamental human right that unlocks access to a wide range of services and opportunities. For many, having a birth certificate or an ID card is something easily taken for granted. But for migrants, refugees, and stateless people, legal recognition is crucial for securing rights and accessing essential services. This is where Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems play a pivotal role, ensuring that every person is recognized under the law, regardless of their circumstances.
Data-driven support for refugee self-reliance in East, Horn and Great Lakes of Africa
The role of data is crucial. Investing in data collection and analysis helps understand challenges, target interventions, and measure impact for refugees and host communities.
Biometrics innovation: Transforming the way we collect fingerprints at UNHCR
In 2002, UNHCR introduced biometrics, and leveraged the technology to manage the identity of the people it serves effectively. By capturing up to 10 fingerprints, 2 irises and a face photo during the initial encounter, biometrics play a crucial role from confirming an individual’s physical presence to providing assistance. UNHCR’s Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) serves a diverse user base including UNHCR staff, partners, governments, and soon refugees themselves through self-service applications, all in a user-friendly manner. While BIMS has undergone countless improvements throughout the years, the biometric scanner devices used have remained largely unchanged.
Measuring foundational learning in forced displacement: field insights and lessons
As part of a larger holistic learning measurement project to address the lack of data on learning outcomes of refugee children, UNHCR piloted a learning assessment in Mauritania.
Transforming lives through education: a brighter future for refugee children
Imagine a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed. For refugee children, education is not just a right; it’s a pathway to self-reliance. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a global movement recognizing the urgency of integrating refugee children into national education systems as swiftly as possible. Yet, the reality is stark: many refugee children are still missing out on this vital opportunity. Around a third of primary school-aged refugee children remain out of school (UNHCR, 2023). It’s time to change that.
Aligning public and private interests to advance financial inclusion for displaced persons and their hosts
What makes for effective public-private partnerships when it comes to advancing financial inclusion? Having common goals, trust, and knowing the strengths and limitations of partners.
The private sector increases work-based integration for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia
Effectively integrating refugees and migrants in labour markets boosts productivity, increases the availability of skilled workers, and drives economic growth.
The journey to build a new open data finder on forced displacement that includes thematic data: Part 1
In 2017, the United Nations Statistical Commission adopted an indicator framework of 231 unique indicators to monitor the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Similarly the World Bank tracks 1,400 indicators on development and UNICEF over 680 on women and children. But what about the visibility of refugees, stateless, and other people affected by forced displacement?
Inclusion of Forcibly Displaced and Stateless Persons in National Statistics
Forcibly displaced persons, including refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), as well as stateless persons are frequently underrepresented or invisible in national data. However, realiable and nationally owned data is vital to guide effective national policies and decisions that foster the inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons around the world. Statistical inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons refers to the process of systematically including these groups in national data production systems such as population and housing censuses, administrative registers or nationwide household surveys.
Inclusion statistique des réfugiés et des rapatriés au Burundi : une approche localisée pour collecter des données de bonne qualité
Par Ilgi Bozdag et Felix Ndama Wa Ndama L’UNHCR a mené sa deuxième enquête de suivi des résultats au Burundi en 2023 avec les rapatrié.e.s près de la frontière tanzanienne, dans la commune de Muyinga. ©GNK/Diane Kaneza Le Burundi, pays...
About the blog
The UNHCR Data Blog brings attention to data and research on protecting the rights and wellbeing of people forced to flee. It is also a forum to discuss research innovations in data-scarce forced displacement settings.
Useful links
UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020 – 2025
UNHCR Socioeconomic Data and Analysis
Guidance on Registration and Identity Management
Registration and Identity Management at UNHCR
Socioeconomic Assessment Toolkit
Orientation for the early stages of planning a socioeconomic survey
Guidance on sampling household level surveys from UNHCR proGres registration data