The UN reports that the number of displaced people the world reached a record high of nearly 60 million people in 2014.
UNHCR said that there was an increase in 8.3 million from the previous year. The ongoing war in Syria is seen as a major contributor. The authors of the report say their findings mean that one in every 122 people on the planet was either a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum.
The report states that more than 15 conflicts have begun or recommenced, including three in the Middle East and eight in Africa.
38.2 million of the total 59.5 million have been internally displaced in their own countries. 19.5 million of the total figure were refugees, half of these being children.
UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening said that the latest statistics were shocking.
"I have met some of these people and they tell me they just want the chance to return to their homes and get back to normal," she said.
"That is why as we give these families the basics they need to survive - food, clean water and shelter - we must also tackle the root causes of poverty and instability, in particular economic development." the BBC reports.