Internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA)

West and Central Africa (UNFPA): Internally displaced persons was 8.67 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
8.67 million
Change on year
down 14.7%
Rank
74th
of 148 groups
All-time high
10.17 million
in 2024
All-time low
554,006
in 2011
Years of data
17
2009–2025

Internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA), 2009–2025

02.0M4.0M6.0M8.0M10.0M2009201720252009: 747.8k2010: 960.6k2011: 554.0k2012: 605.8k2013: 4.7M2014: 2.1M2015: 3.3M2016: 3.2M2017: 3.4M2018: 4.4M2019: 6.3M2020: 7.4M2021: 8.1M2022: 9.6M2023: 8.4M2024: 10.2M2025: 8.7M

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

The most recent figure for internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA) is 8.67 million, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 14.7% on the previous year and up 161.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA) peaked at 10.17 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 554,006, in 2011.

West and Central Africa (UNFPA) ranks 74th of 148 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 747,800 747,800 747,800 1
2010s 2.95 million 554,006 6.29 million 10
2020s 8.71 million 7.36 million 10.17 million 6

Countries ranked near West and Central Africa (UNFPA)

  1. 71 Cuba 2,704 compare
  2. 72 Zambia 2,287 compare
  3. 73 Zimbabwe 2,183 compare
  4. 74 Nepal 2,105 compare
  5. 75 Australia 1,660 compare
  6. 76 Lao People's Democratic Republic 1,274 compare
  7. 77 Egypt 1,100 compare

See the full ranking of 252 places →

More population data for West and Central Africa (UNFPA)

All data for West and Central Africa (UNFPA) →

Frequently asked questions

What is internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA)?
Internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA) was 8.67 million in 2025, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest internally displaced persons recorded in West and Central Africa (UNFPA)?
The highest recorded value was 10.17 million in 2024.
What is the lowest internally displaced persons recorded in West and Central Africa (UNFPA)?
The lowest recorded value was 554,006 in 2011.
How does West and Central Africa (UNFPA) rank for internally displaced persons?
West and Central Africa (UNFPA) ranks 74th out of 148 groups with data for 2025.
Is internally displaced persons rising or falling in West and Central Africa (UNFPA)?
Over the last ten years it is up 161.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this West and Central Africa (UNFPA) data come from?
The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Internally displaced persons (IDPs). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Internally displaced persons in West and Central Africa (UNFPA). Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 21 August 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/internally-displaced-persons-idps/west-and-central-africa-unfpa/

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About this data

Indicator
Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
252 places, 3,487 data points, 2009–2025
Last refreshed