UNHCR says 80% of Syrian refugees want to return soon

Eighty per cent of Syrian refugees across five countries have expressed their desire to return to Syria soon, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said. A regional survey of a random sample of 4,500 Syrian refugees, conducted by UNHCR, suggested that the percentage of refugees looking to return to Syria has increased significantly from 57 per cent in the previous survey conducted in April 2024, indicating renewed hopes for a safe return in the near future.

The survey, titled “Syrian Refugees’ Perceptions and Intentions to Return to Syria” was conducted in February. It showed that approximately 5.5 million Syrians are living in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt, and they expressed their willingness to return to their homeland.

The refugees’ desire to return in the near term has seen a sharp increase; 27 per cent of refugees expressed a wish to return within the next 12 months, compared with just 1.7 per cent in the previous survey, according to the report. UNHCR said that this shift in perspective is mainly driven by the fall of the regime of ousted President Bashar Al-Assad on 8 December last year.

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The refugees said recent developments were accompanied by a noticeable improvement in security and safety, along with the possibility of family reunification and contributing positively to the country’s reconstruction. Many refugees also emphasised the importance of conducting “reconnaissance trips” to Syria before making a final decision. Over 60 per cent believe that such visits would help them get an accurate picture of the current conditions in their homeland.

The study revealed significant differences between the host countries regarding intentions to return. In Jordan and Egypt, the return intention rates were the highest, with 40 per cent in Jordan and 42 per cent in Egypt. The rates were lower in Lebanon at 24 per cent and Iraq at 12 per cent.

UNHCR explained that the survey included detailed information on the refugee profile, with 38 per cent of female participants and 62 per cent male. Moreover, 83 per cent of respondents were aged between 25 and 59; only 11 per cent were between 19 and 24. Furthermore, 78 per cent were key points of contact, meaning they were often the heads of households and primary decision-makers.

Refugees expressed strong optimism for Syria’s future, with more than half of the refugees who do not plan to return within the next 12 months intending to do so within the next five years. Many believe that financial support, transportation and help with rebuilding their homes will play a crucial role in facilitating their return.

UNHCR also announced its efforts to raise $22 million to facilitate the return in 2025 of Syrian refugees currently in Jordan and provide the necessary support when they arrive in Syria. This is part of its broader plan to raise $370.9m for the same purpose across five countries.

According to UNHCR, approximately 43,704 Syrian refugees returned voluntarily to their homeland between 8 December, 2024, and 22 February, 2025. The Jordanian Interior Ministry said that 42,675 Syrians have left Jordan through the Jaber border crossing since the fall of Assad’s regime.

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