Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Refugee, migrant, and immigrant health worldwide - Statistics & Facts
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are currently around one billion migrants worldwide, including refugees and immigrants, which translates to around one in eight of the global population. In 2024, it was estimated that there were almost 32 million refugees under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mandate, as well as 67 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). The reasons why people move from one place to another are complex and varied. Refugees, for example, are unable to return to their home country out of fear of prosecution and risks to their safety because of their race, religion, nationality, or political affiliations. As of mid-2024, the countries that produced the most refugees were Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Many migrants on the other hand leave their country to find better work, to study, or to join family. However, no matter the reason, refugees, migrants, and immigrants often face poor living and working conditions that put them at risk for various negative health outcomes. Refugees and migrants in particular are very vulnerable to both physical and mental health problems.
