Fact Check: Are 85% of the World’s Refugees Muslim and Avoiding Muslim Countries?

Daniel Lutaaya
Aug 18
3 min read

A widely circulated claim alleges that 85% of the world’s refugees are Muslims, yet they do not seek refuge in the 56 Muslim-majority countries. Instead, it is said they "always" flee to non-Muslim countries in the West. This claim has prompted controversy and debate, but how accurate is it?

The Reality of Refugee Demographics in 2025

According to the latest data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the global refugee population reached nearly 42.7 million in 2024, with over 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. Refugees originate from a variety of countries and backgrounds, influenced by conflict, persecution, political instability, and hardship.

Breaking down the religious identity of refugees is challenging due to inconsistent reporting by governments and agencies. However, trusted research and data provide an evidence-based understanding:

About 70% of refugees in recent years have come from Muslim-majority countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and South Sudan, where Islam is predominant.
However, the emergence of large displaced populations from non-Muslim-majority countries like Ukraine and Venezuela (both predominantly Christian) has shifted the overall balance. In 2024, Ukrainians and Venezuelans comprised nearly one-third of all refugees and people in need of international protection around the world.
This makes it improbable that 85% or more of the world’s refugees are Muslim, contradicting the initial claim.

Where Do Refugees Go?

Contrary to the assertion that Muslim refugees avoid Muslim-majority countries, Muslim-majority nations are among the largest hosts of refugees globally:

Turkey hosts the largest refugee population worldwide, with approximately 3.7 million refugees, mainly from Syria and neighbouring countries.
Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, and Chad are also major hosts, collectively sheltering millions of displaced people.
In fact, four of the top seven refugee-hosting countries are Muslim-majority nations: Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Chad[1][4][8].
Germany is the only European nation consistently ranking among the top seven refugee hosts, reflecting a smaller share of the global refugee population compared to many Muslim-majority countries.

What Explains These Patterns?

Refugees tend to flee to neighboring countries, regardless of religion, because proximity generally offers the safest and most accessible refuge.
Economic, political, and cultural factors influence refugee flows, but bordering countries often bear the greatest burden.
Refugees also prefer culturally and linguistically similar countries when possible, which often correlates with shared religion or ethnic background.

The claim that 85% of the world’s refugees are Muslim and that they avoid Muslim-majority countries in favor of the West is false and misleading. Reliable data shows that while a significant proportion of refugees come from Muslim-majority countries, the overall share is below 85%, with large non-Muslim refugee populations contributing to global displacement. The vast majority of refugees, Muslim or otherwise, seek refuge in neighboring countries—including many Muslim-majority states which serve as primary hosts for displaced populations. Western countries, while receiving media attention, host a relatively smaller fraction compared to many Muslim-majority nations.