UNHCR Projected Global Resettlement Needs 2025

What is Resettlement?

Resettlement is the transfer of refugees from a country of asylum to another country that has agreed to admit them and provide them with legal protection and a path to permanent residence.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) partners with countries to protect people forced to flee for whom resettlement is the most appropriate and durable solution. This is a key part of the resettlement process worldwide.

Resettlement Needs

In 2025, more than 2.9 million refugees will need resettlement, according to the UNHCR’s Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment. This number increased by about half a million from 2024 and has doubled since 2021. The increase is due to long-lasting displacement situations, new conflicts, and the worsening impact of climate change.

• Syrian refugees continue to have the greatest need for resettlement, with around 933,000 people.
• Afghan refugees have the second-highest needs (558,000), followed by those from South Sudan (242,000), Myanmar (226,000), Sudan (172,000), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (158,000).

The global context of rising xenophobia and discrimination also exposes refugees to increased risks of expulsion, violence, exploitation and other human rights violations.

Resettlement Progress

In 2023, 96,311 refugees departed for resettlement, nearly reaching the goal of 100,000 set in the Third Country Solutions for Refugees: Roadmap 2030. However, this helped less than 5% of the total number of refugees who needed resettlement.

The UNHCR referred over 155,486 refugees for resettlement in 2023. The United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia were the main countries offering support and taking in refugees with the UNHCR’s assistance.

This ongoing effort shows the growing need for resettlement programs and international cooperation to meet the needs of millions of displaced people.