Record High of Internally Displaced Persons Worldwide - U.S. Leads

In 2024, new armed conflicts and natural disasters have led to an unprecedented rise in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), defined as individuals forced to seek refuge elsewhere within their own country. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) based in Geneva, the United States recorded the highest number of displacements due to natural disasters, particularly attributed to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

During the year, the U.S. experienced 11 million displacements, marking the highest annual figure recorded since tracking began in 2008. This statistic includes evacuations prompted by severe weather events. By the end of 2024, there were 83.4 million IDPs globally, more than double the number recorded six years prior, and a nearly ten percent increase compared to 2023. A staggering 90 percent of these displacements were a result of violence and armed conflict.

Regions identified as hotspots for displacement included the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the occupied Palestinian territories, and Sudan. It is important to note that the count of displacements includes individuals who have relocated multiple times, resulting in a figure higher than that of the total displaced population. Many people are compelled to flee repeatedly due to insecurity at their initial refuge or subsequent disasters, necessitating monitoring of both annual displacements as well as the cumulative number of displaced individuals at year-end.

For instance, in 2024, the IDMC recorded 3.2 million displacements within the occupied Palestinian territories. However, by the end of the year, the number of displaced individuals stood at 2.03 million, which included nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip. While the U.S. reported 11 million displacements, only 22,000 individuals remained displaced by year-end.

Overall, the IDMC reported approximately 65.8 million new displacements for the year, with over two-thirds stemming from natural disasters, also a record figure. It is crucial to highlight that the IDMC focuses on individuals remaining within their country, thereby categorizing them as IDPs. However, the total displaced population due to wars, conflicts, or disasters is significantly higher, as many individuals seek refuge across international borders and are not included in this particular statistic.

As of mid-2024, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) noted that there were already 122.6 million displaced persons globally, accounting for both those who have remained within their country and those who have fled abroad.