The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports a significant decrease in Afghan refugees returning home this year, with only 54,000 returning compared to 2008’s 278,000. Most returnees are from Pakistan, with smaller numbers from Iran and other non-neighboring countries. The upsurge in violence since 2006 has raised concerns among refugees about security and economic opportunities in Afghanistan. Many refugees have lived in exile for over 25 years, with half having never lived in Afghanistan. Currently, 1.7 million registered Afghans live in Pakistan and 935,000 in Iran. Despite challenges, around 5 million Afghan refugees have returned since 2002, increasing Afghanistan’s population by 20%. UNHCR plans to construct 10,000 housing units for returnees next year, adding to the nearly 200,000 units built since 2002.
