Doing the math on refugees
Written by Sabrina Axster
According to UNHCR estimates, there were over 16 million refugees worldwide by the end of 2013. But what does that actually mean? Where do refugees come from and where do they live? Here, we break down the numbers and take a look at which countries host the largest numbers of refugees.
More people were forced to flee their homes in 2013 than in any year since World War II
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by the end of 2013 the number of individuals forced to flee their homes had exceeded 50 million for the first time since World War II. This number includes different groups of displaced persons. Of the roughly 16.7 million refugees who have been displaced across international borders, 11.7 million are refugees in the traditional sense, falling under the mandate of UNHCR, and 5 million are Palestinian refugees supported by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The total number also includes 1.2 million asylum-seekers and over 33 million internally displaced persons (people who are forcibly removed from their homes and seek refuge within other areas of their country of origin, without moving across international borders). This article focuses on the 11.7 million refugees under the mandate of UNHCR.
Conflict, violence, and political instability remain the biggest factors in displacing people. However, other trends identified by the United Nations include natural disasters, climate change, urbanization, food and energy insecurity, and water scarcity. Poverty, economic and development challenges can also cause displacement, thereby blurring the distinction between refugees and migrants.
Where do refugees come from?
The conflict in Syria is a key driver of the increase in refugee numbers. As of mid-2014, Syria passed Afghanistan as the primary source country, with over three million Syrians registered as refugees. 2.7 million Afghanis are registered refugees, followed by 1.1 million Somalis, and close to 700,000 Sudanese.
Where do refugees live?
Contrary to common belief that Europe and Northern America are bearing the brunt of the influx of refugees, 87 percent receive shelter in developing countries (see this UNFPA report). As of 2013, Asia and Africa hosted 10 and 3.1 million refugees, respectively, compared to 1.5 million in Europe.
As of mid-2014, Pakistan continues to host the largest number of refugees worldwide at 1.6 million. Other major refugee-hosting countries include Lebanon (over 1.1 million), Iran (close to 1 million), Turkey (824,000), and Jordan (737,000). The influx of Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan, like in Lebanon, is largely a result of the Syrian civil war. These numbers are even more astonishing given that several of the host nations are facing internal political challenges themselves.
Putting refugee numbers into perspective
Absolute numbers of refugees only tell part of the story. Looking at the share of refugees in the total population of host countries provides a more complete picture.
As of mid-2014 Lebanon had the highest refugee density worldwide, totalling about 257 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants — Lebanese and UN officials predicted that by the end of the year, Syrian refugees would likely exceed a third of Lebanon’s total population. To equal this population ratio, the US would have to host 82 million refugees and Germany nearly 21 million.
Another important thing to remember when considering refugee numbers is that inconsistencies between different sources of statistics are not uncommon. This article draws primarily on data collected by the UNHCR. The number of displaced persons might be significantly higher, especially for internally displaced persons as noted by UNESCO.
Looking at the US and New York
Data regarding the total number of refugees and asylees currently residing in the US is also hard to find and somewhat contradictory. UNHCR estimates put it at nearly 360,000 — this number, however, does not include refugees and asylees who have adjusted their status and become Lawful Permanent Residents. According to this report published by the the New York City Department of City Planning, the number of refugees and asylees in the US grew from nearly 1 million in the 1990s to 1.4 million in the 2000s, with nearly 130,000 living in New York City. Interestingly, the composition of the refugee and asylee population in New York City has dramatically changed: while in the 1990s the majority of refugees and asylees came from Russia and other former Soviet Union countries, China and Eastern European states have become primary source countries since the 2000s.
