Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of in Syria
Syria: Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of was 5.95 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of in Syria, 1968–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of in Syria stood at 5.95 million.
The figure is down 6.4% on the previous year and up 53.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of in Syria peaked at 6.85 million in 2021 and was at its lowest, 20, in 1987.
That places Syria 1st out of 72 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of in Syria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 1,200 | — |
| 1969 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 500 | -58.3% |
| 1980 | 500 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 505 | +1.0% |
| 1982 | 505 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 526 | +4.2% |
| 1984 | 529 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 2,599 | +391.3% |
| 1986 | 534 | -79.5% |
| 1987 | 20 | -96.3% |
| 1988 | 881 | +4305.0% |
| 1989 | 397 | -54.9% |
| 1990 | 2,148 | +441.1% |
| 1991 | 3,037 | +41.4% |
| 1992 | 4,408 | +45.1% |
| 1993 | 5,412 | +22.8% |
| 1994 | 7,087 | +30.9% |
| 1995 | 7,995 | +12.8% |
| 1996 | 8,611 | +7.7% |
| 1997 | 8,653 | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 8,132 | -6.0% |
| 1999 | 6,693 | -17.7% |
| 2000 | 5,868 | -12.3% |
| 2001 | 4,861 | -17.2% |
| 2002 | 18,908 | +289.0% |
| 2003 | 20,816 | +10.1% |
| 2004 | 21,430 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 16,395 | -23.5% |
| 2006 | 12,327 | -24.8% |
| 2007 | 13,684 | +11.0% |
| 2008 | 15,206 | +11.1% |
| 2009 | 17,915 | +17.8% |
| 2010 | 18,451 | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 19,931 | +8.0% |
| 2012 | 729,011 | +3557.7% |
| 2013 | 2.47 million | +238.6% |
| 2014 | 3.89 million | +57.5% |
| 2015 | 4.87 million | +25.4% |
| 2016 | 5.52 million | +13.4% |
| 2017 | 6.31 million | +14.2% |
| 2018 | 6.65 million | +5.4% |
| 2019 | 6.62 million | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 6.70 million | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 6.85 million | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 6.56 million | -4.2% |
| 2023 | 6.36 million | -3.1% |
| 2024 | 5.95 million | -6.4% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 5.95 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6,895, 863.3× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of in Syria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | +4305.0% | 20 | 881 |
| 2012 | +3557.7% | 19,931 | 729,011 |
| 1990 | +441.1% | 397 | 2,148 |
| 1985 | +391.3% | 529 | 2,599 |
| 2002 | +289.0% | 4,861 | 18,908 |
| 2013 | +238.6% | 729,011 | 2.47 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 2 |
| 1970s | 500 | 500 | 500 | 1 |
| 1980s | 699.6 | 20 | 2,599 | 10 |
| 1990s | 6,218 | 2,148 | 8,653 | 10 |
| 2000s | 14,741 | 4,861 | 21,430 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.71 million | 18,451 | 6.65 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.48 million | 5.95 million | 6.85 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Syria
More health data for Syria
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.8632 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,122 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 1,491 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 7.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0503 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 7.65 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of in Syria?
- Refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of in Syria was 5.95 million in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of recorded in Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 6.85 million in 2021.
- What is the lowest refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was 20 in 1987.
- How does Syria rank for refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of?
- Syria ranks 1st out of 72 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees under the mandate of the unhcr by country or territory of rising or falling in Syria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Syria data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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