AMMAN — The total number of refugees registered with the UNHCR (UNHCR) in Jordan has declined to approximately 506,225 as of 31 August 2025, according to the UN refugee agency’s latest report.

 

Refugee numbers in Jordan drop to 506,000  —  UNHCR

 

The data reveals a gradual reduction in registrations over the past three years, falling from 15,801 refugees (1.1 per cent) in 2023, to 14,973 (1 per cent) in 2024, and then to 7,075 (0.5 per cent) in 2025. This marks a significant drop from the peak recorded in 2013, when 675,168 refugees were registered, representing 47.2 per cent of the total at the time.

 

According to the report, cited by Al Mamlaka, Syrians continue to make up the overwhelming majority of refugees in the Kingdom, with 462,282 individuals accounting for 91.3 per cent of the total. Iraqis follow with 29,235 (5.8 per cent), Yemenis with 9,392 (1.9 per cent), and Sudanese with 4,476 (0.9 per cent). The remainder comprises various nationalities, including Somalis.

 

The report notes that 412,667 refugees, representing 81.5 per cent, live in urban areas, while 93,558 (18.5 per cent) reside in refugee camps.

 

In terms of geographical distribution, the capital Amman hosts the largest number of refugees at 181,658, followed by Irbid (84,814), Mafraq (61,839), and Zarqa (31,961). Other governorates accommodate the rest. Within the camps, 36,593 refugees are based in Zaatari, 56,932 in Azraq, and 163 in Cyber City in Irbid.

 

Between 8 December 2024 and 30 August 2025, more than 144,640 Syrian refugees returned to Syria from Jordan, bringing the total number of returnees since the reopening of the border in October 2018 to 197,050.

 

According to the UNHCR’s July report, over 111,000 refugees in Jordan, roughly 14 per cent of the total population, require resettlement. However, opportunities remain limited, with available resettlement slots covering just 1 per cent of those in need due to global constraints.