Global forced displacement has decreased for the first time in a decade, according to corroborated reports. The figure remains unacceptably high, with tens of millions still in prolonged exile with little prospect of rebuilding their lives. According to news.un.org, global refugee numbers fell by three per cent in 2025 to 41.6 million. During the same year, 5.4 million people fled to other countries to escape violence and persecution. A total of 14.7 million displaced people returned to their areas or countries of origin in 2025, including 4.4 million refugees and 10.3 million internally displaced people. Refugee returns were the second highest since records began 60 years ago. Sharp increases in returns were recorded in Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria in 2025. Many returns occurred under pressure and to precarious conditions.