Who are the Syria refugees?
Registered Syria refugees
Syria refugees are people who fled Syria due to the Syrian Civil War and related protection risks. UNHCR registered 5.5 million Syria refugees and asylum seekers worldwide as of 2026, hosted primarily in neighbouring countries.
The Syria refugee population includes families displaced since 2011, unaccompanied minors, women-headed households, and people with protection needs linked to conflict, persecution or generalised violence. UNHCR registration is the primary source of disaggregated demographic data; host-government systems supplement it where bilateral arrangements exist.
Demographics vary by host country and arrival wave. Earlier cohorts tend to have higher rates of formal employment and language acquisition, while recent arrivals concentrate in transit and border areas. Protection profiling by UNHCR field offices identifies specific needs such as survivors of gender-based violence, people with disabilities, and older refugees living alone.
Data sources
- UNHCR
- OCHA
- IOM DTM
- ACLED
Figures synthesised from primary humanitarian data partners. Numbers update on monthly cycles as new field assessments and registration data are released.
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Related answers
How many refugees from Syria are there in 2026?
As of 2026, there are approximately 5.5 million refugees from Syria worldwide, according to UNHCR. The figure includes registered refugees, asylum seekers, and people in refugee-like situations across host countries.
Which countries host the most refugees from Syria in 2026?
The 5.5 million refugees from Syria are concentrated mainly in neighbouring countries. UNHCR's Operational Data Portal publishes a country-by-country breakdown updated monthly by host-government registration data.
How many internally displaced people are in Syria in 2026?
Approximately 7.2 million people are internally displaced inside Syria in 2026. The figure is tracked by IOM DTM and UNHCR and reflects people forced from their homes who remain within the country's borders.
How many people in Syria need humanitarian assistance in 2026?
OCHA estimates 16.7 million people in Syria require humanitarian assistance in 2026. The figure comes from the annual Humanitarian Needs Overview and covers food, shelter, health, water and protection requirements.