[General] UNHCR: 2008 Global Trends - Refugees, Asylum seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced and Stateless Persons

The 21-page report reflects many of the major humanitarian developments between January and December 2008. It analyses the statistical trends and changes in the global populations of concern to UNHCR, i.e. refugees, returnees, stateless persons and certain groups of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Some of the key findings of the report:

- There were 42 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2008. This includes 15.2 million refugees, 827,000 asylum-seekers (pending cases) and 26 million internally displaced persons.
- Nearly 25 million people - 10.5 million refugees and 14.4 million IDPs - were receiving protection or assistance from UNHCR at the end of 2008.
- UNHC identified some 6.6 million stateless persons in 58 countries. The Office estimated that the overall number of stateless persons worldwide was far higher, about 12 million people.
- Some 604,000 refugees repatriated voluntarily during 2008, the second-lowest figure in 15 years.
- UNHCR presented 121,000 refugees for resettlement consideration by States. More than 67,000 refugees were resettled with UNHCR's assistance during 2008. According to Government statistics, 16 countries reported the admission of 88,800 resettled refugees during the year.
- More than 839,000 people submitted an individual application for asylum or refugee status in 2008. South Africa was the largest recipient with 207,000 claims received. Some 16,300 asylum applications were lodged by unaccompanied and separated children in 68 countries.
- Developing countries are host to four fifths of the world's refugees.
- Pakistan is host to the largest number of refugees worldwide (1.8 million), followed by the Syrian Arab Republic (1.1 million) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (980,000).
- One out of four refugees in the world is from Afghanistan (2.8 million) and Afghans are located in 69 different asylum countries.Iraqis are the second largest refugee group, with 1.9 million having sought refuge mainly in neighbouring countries.

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