Global Refugee Resettlement Needs 2026

Key Themes and Important Information:

This briefing document summarizes the key findings from the UNHCR's "Global Refugee Resettlement Needs 2026" report, highlighting the projected needs for refugee resettlement, the current challenges faced by international efforts, and the primary populations and host countries involved.

I. Projected Refugee Resettlement Needs for 2026

• Overall Need: The UN estimates that 2.5 million refugees worldwide will require resettlement in 2026.
• Slight Decrease from 2025: This figure represents a slight reduction from the estimated 2.9 million refugees needing resettlement in 2025.
• Reason for Decrease: The primary reason for this decline is the "changed situation in Syria, which has allowed for voluntary returns." UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo noted, "We are seeing some people pull out of resettlement processes in favour of plans to go home to rebuild."
• Largest Populations in Need: In 2026, the largest refugee populations likely to require resettlement include:
• Afghans
• Syrians
• South Sudanese
• Rohingya from Myanmar
• Congolese
• Major Host Countries: Most of these refugees will need to be resettled from major host countries, including:
• Iran
• Turkey
• Pakistan
• Ethiopia
• Uganda

II. Challenges to UNHCR's Resettlement Efforts

• Declining Resettlement Quotas: UNHCR's resettlement efforts are facing "towering hurdles," with 2025 resettlement quotas "expected to be the lowest in two decades, falling below the levels seen even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many countries paused their programmes."
• United States Policy Shift: A significant factor in the decline is the policy of the United States, "long the world's biggest resettler of refugees," which has "slammed its doors shut." President Donald Trump "halted the US refugee resettlement programme" shortly after returning to the White House in January. This is a reversal from his predecessor, Joe Biden, who "resettled over 100,000 refugees in the United States last year."
• Broader International Trend: The issue is not limited to the United States. Mantoo stated, "We have indications that a number of countries are reducing or adjusting quotas."

III. Calls for Increased International Action and Achievable Goals

• Importance of Resettlement: Mantoo stressed that resettlement "offers a concrete alternative to dangerous journeys," urging countries to "sustain their programmes and increase their intake."
• International Goal for 2026: Recognizing the vast needs, the international community has set a goal of resettling 120,000 refugees in 2026.
• Achievability: Mantoo affirmed that "Recent history shows that this is achievable," noting that in 2024, "despite the challenges, the UNHCR supported the resettlement of 116,000 refugees globally."
• Value of Every Place: The report underscores the profound impact of each resettlement opportunity: "Every place is invaluable for those fleeing danger."

IV. Global Displacement Context

• Record High Forced Displacement (Late 2024): Earlier this month, UNHCR reported a record 123.2 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced from their homes at the end of 2024.
• Recent Slight Decrease (April 2025): This figure saw a slight drop to 122.1 million by the end of April 2025, primarily "as Syrians began returning home after years of turmoil."

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