Population statistics [official] Metadata

Official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness, by population type

Population statistics [official]

PopStocksOfficial

A population stock is a static measure of the size of a population with a specific characteristic in a given country at a particular point in time (also called the reference date). The important aspect here is the point in time, usually mid-year (30 June) or end of year (31 December), when the population holding a specific characteristic is counted (note, this is a similar concept as for population censuses). A person belongs to this population when they hold the specific characteristics at this reference date regardless of when they acquired this characteristic. For example, a person is counted in the international migrant stock if the person resides in a foreign country at the reference date independent of whether the person migrated within the last year or many years ago or if they intend to leave the country shortly after the reference date (United Nations, 2015).

In the context of refugee statistics, the situation is more complex than crossing a national border, as persons may enter the stock at several points, by birth, by migration or by being granted citizenship of the host country or by changes in their international protection status. They may also exit by death, migration or by changing their legal status or citizenship. See the specific definition of each possible population type in the code lists.

Totals are computed by summing the total number of people or households among a specific population type, and when relevant, any specific demographic characteristics, at a specific point in time.

International definition and standards

Not all countries and population types have full set of demographics or disaggregations for each year.

Official statistics are statistics that have been officially validated and endorsed by UNHCR under the authority of UNHCR's Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (SQAF), first published in 2025.