Khaberni - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated the number of Syrians who returned to their homeland since the fall of the regime up until September 27 to be more than 157,000 registered refugees.
The Commission noted a slowdown in the pace of return in recent weeks, with about 3,100 refugees returning to Syria last week compared to 4,100 the previous week, marking a 24% decrease.
It was indicated that the demographic makeup of the returnees remained similar to previous weeks, with women and girls constituting about 49% of all returnees, while the rate of children was 43%, and men aged between 18 and 40 years accounted for about 19% of the total returning group.
The majority of the returnees still come from host communities in Jordan, notably from Amman and Irbid.
As of October 2, the Commission estimates the number of Syrians who have returned to their homeland since December 8, 2024, up to the beginning of October 2025, to be about 1,082,724 persons from various countries, in addition to 1,870,049 internally displaced persons who returned to their original or chosen areas within Syria.
The Commission confirmed that since the fall of the Assad regime, many Syrian refugees residing in Jordan have expressed their desire to return to their homes, although cautiously. While the Commission does not encourage mass returns under the current conditions, it supports refugees who choose voluntary return after being briefed on the conditions in their original or alternative areas within Syria.
The Commission explained that a number of refugees are contacting it requesting support and assistance in facilitating their voluntary return, whether through financial assistance or transportation services. In response, the Commission is working on enhancing support programs to ensure that these returns are dignified and sustainable.
Conversely, the Commission emphasized that most refugees do not intend to return this year, due to the ongoing uncertainty in Syria. It confirmed that, in cooperation with its humanitarian response partners, it will continue to provide protection and life-saving assistance to refugees residing in Jordan in the foreseeable future.
According to Commission data, the conditions of Syrian refugees in Jordan remain very fragile, with 67% living below the poverty line, and 9 out of every 10 refugees resorting to borrowing to cover their basic needs such as rent, food, and medication.
The Commission indicated that continued donor support is crucial to maintain the level of services provided to refugees, including their registration and documentation, ensuring access to essential services, and enabling humanitarian response partners to plan and deliver aid efficiently.
According to the latest survey conducted by the Commission last June, 80% of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan express their intent to return to their homeland someday, but the decision to return remains linked to multiple economic and security factors.
The survey revealed that 36% of the refugees who do not intend to return attribute their decision to the destruction and damage of their homes, while 23% point to the absence of job opportunities and income sources, 12% cite security and safety concerns, 9% mention a lack of financial resources, and 7% indicate insufficient services within Syria.
In a related context, a new report by the Norwegian Refugee Council warns that legal, economic, and administrative complexities make the return of thousands of Syrian refugees in Jordan to their homeland nearly impossible at present.
The report explained that the return of some refugee groups is not just a difficult issue but is nearly impossible structurally, given problems such as the lack of official documents, legal and procedural barriers, and protection fears that keep many in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
It was noted that these obstacles are not individual cases, as thousands of refugees face an undefined legal status that prevents them from crossing the border legally, exposing them to multiple risks including arrest, family separation, and loss of nationality. Even those who possess incomplete documents or pending legal files face challenges extending beyond the return phase itself.
The report stressed that achieving a safe and sustainable return requires clear legal pathways for regularizing the status of refugees and obtaining official approvals from Syrian authorities, in addition to solving documentation issues. It also affirmed that the absence of reliable institutional support for handling administrative procedures in both Jordan and Syria leads refugees to face risk-laden choices.
