Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Western Africa (African Union)
Western Africa (African Union): Internally displaced persons was 6.60 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union), 2009–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2025, internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union) stood at 6.60 million.
That represents a change of down 7.1% on the previous year and up 151.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union) peaked at 7.51 million in 2022 and was at its lowest, 315,000, in 2011.
That places Western Africa (African Union) 82nd out of 148 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union), year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 410,000 | — |
| 2010 | 589,836 | +43.9% |
| 2011 | 315,000 | -46.6% |
| 2012 | 376,000 | +19.4% |
| 2013 | 3.67 million | +875.0% |
| 2014 | 1.51 million | -58.9% |
| 2015 | 2.63 million | +74.6% |
| 2016 | 2.45 million | -6.6% |
| 2017 | 2.21 million | -9.9% |
| 2018 | 2.90 million | +31.0% |
| 2019 | 4.16 million | +43.6% |
| 2020 | 5.16 million | +23.9% |
| 2021 | 5.85 million | +13.5% |
| 2022 | 7.51 million | +28.3% |
| 2023 | 6.30 million | -16.1% |
| 2024 | 7.10 million | +12.7% |
| 2025 | 6.60 million | -7.1% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union) changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +875.0% | 376,000 | 3.67 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 410,000 | 410,000 | 410,000 | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.08 million | 315,000 | 4.16 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.42 million | 5.16 million | 7.51 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Western Africa (African Union)
More population data for Western Africa (African Union)
- Total population by age 14,806 (2100)
- Total population by age 902.86 (2023)
- Proportion of population using of on-site sanitation facilities with 0 (2024)
- Proportion of population using basic sanitation services 14.64 (2024)
- Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services 26.75 (2024)
- Proportion of population using sanitation facilities connected to 2.03 (2024)
- Proportion of population using on-site sanitation facilities with 24.72 (2024)
- Proportion of population using limited drinking water services 7.27 (2024)
- Proportion of population using improved drinking water sources 85.39 (2024)
- Proportion of population using sanitation facilities connected to 5.73 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union)?
- Internally displaced persons in Western Africa (African Union) was 6.60 million in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest internally displaced persons recorded in Western Africa (African Union)?
- The highest recorded value was 7.51 million in 2022.
- What is the lowest internally displaced persons recorded in Western Africa (African Union)?
- The lowest recorded value was 315,000 in 2011.
- How does Western Africa (African Union) rank for internally displaced persons?
- Western Africa (African Union) ranks 82nd out of 148 groups with data for 2025.
- Is internally displaced persons rising or falling in Western Africa (African Union)?
- Over the last ten years it is up 151.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Africa (African Union) data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Internally displaced persons (IDPs). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 17 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).