The global tally of internally displaced persons (IDPs) climbed to 71.1 million by the end of the previous year, according to the latest assessment from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). This figure marks a historic high in IDP counts and signals a persistent humanitarian challenge driven by conflict, disasters, and political instability that affect millions within their own borders. The IDMC’s comprehensive analysis underscores how displacement continues to shape the lived realities of families, communities, and national economies, particularly in regions experiencing ongoing turmoil and climate-induced crises.
By the close of 2022, about 71.1 million individuals were displaced within their own countries, a notable surge from the previous year. The report emphasizes that this upsurge reflects both new displacements and the persistence of people who remain uprooted for extended periods. In 2021, the IDMC documented a rise of roughly 20 percent, reaching 59.2 million internally displaced persons, highlighting a pattern of accelerating displacement that stretches local services, humanitarian access, and protection mechanisms. This upward trajectory illustrates how emergencies can compound over time, creating long-term pressure on hosts, governments, and aid providers across regions.
When considering the scale of displacement, the latest data also reveal that, in total, about 60.9 million displacement events occurred last year. Each event can involve multiple individuals and households, compounding the complexity of response efforts. Such figures illustrate the dynamic and often protracted nature of internal displacement, where communities face repeated disruptions to housing, livelihoods, education, and health care, sometimes lasting for years. The IDMC notes that protracted displacement increases risks of poverty, protection gaps, and psychosocial strain, making sustained, well-coordinated humanitarian interventions essential for stabilization and recovery.
The most significant surge in displacement due to conflict was documented in Ukraine, where the conflict’s toll pushed the IDP count to 16.9 million. This figure underscores the devastating impact of war on civilian populations, the displacement of families across borders and within borders, and the heavy burden placed on local infrastructure and social systems. The Ukrainian experience has prompted renewed emphasis on safe corridors, protection frameworks, and durable solutions that balance immediate relief with long-term resilience planning for communities already weakened by years of instability.
Across the Americas and beyond, displacement patterns are shaped by a mix of violence, governance challenges, economic pressures, and evolving migration policies. In some cases, migrants and asylum seekers face restrictive entry rules and rising xenophobia, which complicates the relief and integration process for those who must leave their homes but aim to remain within the region. Analysts highlight the importance of regional cooperation, transparent asylum procedures, and fair access to essential services to reduce vulnerability and safeguard the dignity of those on the move. The IDMC’s findings emphasize that comprehensive displacement responses require not only emergency aid but also durable strategies that support housing, livelihoods, education, and social protection for affected populations, regardless of their status or location. (Source: IDMC report)