Khaberni - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated the number of Syrians who have returned to their country since the fall of the regime until September 27 last year to be more than 157,000 refugees registered with the Commission.
The Commission pointed to 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, a decrease of 24%, according to Al-Ghad.
It indicated that the demographic composition of returnees remained similar to previous weeks, with women and girls making up about 49% of the total returnees, while children accounted for 43%, and men aged 18 to 40 years about 19% of the total returnees.
The Commission explained that the majority of returnees are still returning from host communities within Jordan, especially from Amman and Irbid.
Until October 2 of the current year, the Commission estimated the number of Syrians who have returned to their homeland since December 8, 2024, until the beginning of October 2025, at about 1,082,724 people from various countries, in addition to 1,870,049 internally displaced people who have returned to their original or chosen areas within Syria.
The Commission confirmed that since the fall of the Assad regime, a significant number of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan have expressed their desire to return to their homelands, albeit with great caution. While the Commission does not encourage mass return under the current circumstances, it supports refugees who choose voluntary return after being informed of conditions in their original areas or in alternative areas within Syria.
The Commission explained that a number of refugees are contacting it to request support and assistance in facilitating their voluntary return, whether through financial assistance or providing transportation. In response, the Commission is working to enhance support programs to ensure that this return is dignified and sustainable.
In contrast, the Commission emphasized that most refugees do not intend to return this year due to the ongoing uncertainty in Syria. It confirmed that, in collaboration with its humanitarian response partners, it will continue to provide protection and life-saving assistance to refugees residing in Jordan for the foreseeable future.
According to Commission data, the situation of Syrian refugees in Jordan remains very fragile, with 67% of them living below the poverty line, while 9 out of 10 refugees resort to borrowing to cover basic needs such as rent, food, and medicine.
The Commission pointed out that continued donor support is crucial to maintaining the level of services provided to refugees, including their registration and documentation and ensuring their access to basic services, as well as enabling humanitarian response partners to plan and deliver aid efficiently.
According to the latest survey conducted by the Commission in June last year, 80% of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan express their intention to return to their homeland someday, but the decision to return is still linked to multiple economic and security factors.
The survey revealed that 36% of refugees who do not intend to return attribute their decision to the destruction and damage of their homes, while 23% cited the absence of job opportunities and income sources, and 12% cited security and safety concerns, while 9% mentioned that a lack of financial resources prevents them from returning, and 7% reported a lack of adequate services within Syria.
In a related context, a new report issued 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 this time.
The report explained that the return of some refugee groups is not just a difficult issue, but is almost structurally impossible in the face of documentation shortages, legal and procedural obstacles, and protection concerns, which keep many in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
It pointed out that these obstacles are not individual cases, as thousands of refugees face an undefined legal status that prevents them from crossing the borders legally, and exposes them to multiple risks including arrest, family separation, and loss of nationality. Even those with incomplete documents or pending legal files face challenges that extend beyond the return phase itself.
The report emphasized that achieving a safe and sustainable return requires clear legal pathways for regularizing the status of refugees and obtaining official approvals from Syrian authorities, as well as resolving documentation issues. It further affirmed that the absence of reliable institutional support for handling administrative procedures in both Jordan and Syria pushes refugees toward risk-laden choices.
