This document presents the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre’s (IDMC) 2024 Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID), offering a comprehensive analysis of internal displacement trends worldwide. It examines the key drivers, regional patterns, and the challenges in finding durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The report is intended for policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and researchers seeking a better understanding of this complex issue.
Key Insights
Global Overview
The GRID 2024 reveals a record 75.9 million people living in internal displacement as of the end of 2023 (p. 6). This figure highlights the severity and increasing scale of the global displacement crisis.
Conflict and Violence
Conflict and violence triggered 20.5 million new internal displacements across 45 countries and territories during 2023 (p. 6). Sudan, DRC, and Palestine accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total.
Disasters
Disasters triggered 26.4 million new internal displacements across 148 countries and territories in 2023 (p. 6). This underscores the significant impact of natural hazards on population movements.
Regional Trends
Sub-Saharan Africa, hosting 46% of the world’s IDPs, remained the region most affected by internal displacement in 2023 (p. 6). The report also notes the large displacement figures due to the conflict in Palestine. East Asia and Pacific recorded the highest number of disaster displacements globally, although the figure was the lowest since 2017.
The Number of IDPs
The total number of people living in internal displacement increased by 51% over the past five years, reaching a record high of 75.9 million people across 116 countries at the end of 2023 (p. 8). “This illustrates how difficult it has proven for people to bring their displacement to a sustainable end” (p. 10).
Key Statistics & Data
- Total IDPs (end of 2023): 75.9 million (p. 8)
- IDPs due to conflict/violence: 68.3 million (p. 8)
- IDPs due to disasters: 7.7 million (p. 8)
- New displacements due to conflict/violence: 20.5 million (p. 9)
- New displacements due to disasters: 26.4 million (p. 11)
- Percentage of global IDPs hosted by Sub-Saharan Africa: 46% (p. 6)
Methodology
The report relies on data from various sources, including:
- The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre’s (IDMC) global database
- Data from governments and international organizations
- Statistical analysis of displacement patterns and trends
- Regional case studies and spotlight analyses
Implications and Conclusions
The GRID 2024 underscores the growing challenge of internal displacement, driven by conflict, violence, and disasters. The report highlights the need for:
- Increased visibility and understanding of internal displacement
- Stronger efforts to prevent displacement and address root causes
- Durable solutions that address the specific needs of IDPs
- Improved data collection and analysis to inform effective responses
The report concludes that, without concerted action and innovative approaches, the number of IDPs is likely to continue to rise, posing significant challenges for humanitarian actors and policymakers globally.
Key Points
- As of the end of 2023, 75.9 million people were living in internal displacement globally.
- Conflict and violence drove 20.5 million new internal displacements across 45 countries and territories.
- Disasters triggered 26.4 million new internal displacements across 148 countries and territories.
- Sub-Saharan Africa hosts 46% of the world's IDPs and was most affected by internal displacement in 2023.
- The conflict in Palestine contributed to an eight-fold increase in conflict displacements in the Middle East and North Africa in 2023.
- East Asia and the Pacific recorded the highest number of disaster displacements globally, although the figure was the lowest since 2017.
- The total number of people living in internal displacement increased by 51% over the past five years, reaching a record high of 75.9 million people across 116 countries at the end of 2023.