Where do the most refugees come from?

Millions of people around the world have been forced from their home countries due to war, genocide, or persecution. Last year, almost 70.8 million people around the world were forcibly displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution or human rights violations, according to the UNHCR, the highest level that the refugee agency has seen in almost 70 years. Almost 60% were internally displaced within the borders of their own country, while the global refugee population now stands at 25.9 million. Over two-thirds of the world's refugees come from just five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia


1. Syria: 6.7 million in 2018, an increase from 6.3 million in 2017. Syria has been the biggest country of origin for refugees every year since 2014, according to the UNHCR.
2. Afghanistan: 2.7 million refugees, compared with 2.6 million a year earlier. The UNHCR notes the Afghan refugee population has been significant since the 1980s.
3. South Sudan: 2.3 million people, declined from 2.4 million in 2017.
4. Myanmar: 1.1 million, about the same as in 2017.
5. Somalia: 949,700, down from 986,400 a year earlier.
6. Sudan: 724,800, up from 694,600 in 2017.
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo: 720,300 refugees, a slight increase from 2017.
8. Central African Republic: 545,500 compared to 590,900 during 2017.
9. Eritrea: 507,300 refugees, up from 486,200 a year earlier.
10. Burundi: 439,300 in 2018, an increase from 387,900 in 2017.