Information
Full name
Official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness, by population type
Short name
Population statistics [official]
Code
PopStocksOfficial
Definition
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.
Method of computation
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.
Comparability
International definition and standards
Relationships
| Framework | Indicator | Comparability |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainible Development Goals Indicators | Proportion of the population who are refugees, by country of origin | Comparable |
Limitations
Not all countries and population types have full set of demographics or disaggregations for each year.
Quality assurance
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.
Data Sources
UNHCR Population Statistics Reference (PSR), IDMC statistics on IDPs and UNRWA official statistics on Palestine refugees under UNRWA's mandate
UNHCR official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness - 2021
UNHCR_WRL_2021_PSR
2021
Multisource
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness - 2022
UNHCR_WRL_2022_PSR
2022
Multisource
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness - 2023
UNHCR_WRL_2023_PSR
2023
Multisource
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness - 2024
UNHCR_WRL_2024_PSR
2024
Multisource
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR official population statistics on people affected by forced displacement and statelessness - 2025
UNHCR_WRL_2025_PSR
2025
Multisource
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees