- About 445,000 refugees in Jordan and more than 177,000 Syrian refugees voluntarily returned within a year.
- UNHCR: We do not anticipate the number of returnees to exceed 200,000 by the end of 2025.
- UNHCR: We received $115 million of the total funding required for 2025.
- UNHCR: Issuance and renewal of 47,004 work permits for Syrian refugees in 2025.
Khaberni - The total number of refugees and asylum seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan as of November 30, 2025, is about 444,991, according to the spokesperson for the UNHCR, Youssef Taha.
Taha noted that the Syrian nationality represents the majority among the refugees, with a total of 421,511 Syrians, followed by the Iraqi nationality with 12,419 individuals, then Yemeni nationality with 6,077 people, Sudanese nationality with 4,267, followed by Somali nationality with 324 individuals, in addition to 393 people of other nationalities, according to Al Mamlaka.
Voluntary Return
From December 8, 2024, until December 8, 2025, approximately 177,099 Syrian refugees returned from Jordan to their homeland.
Taha explained that based on the rates of return in recent months, it is not expected that the number of returnees will exceed 200,000 by the end of the year, attributing this to a decline in the number of returnees in recent months due to several factors, including severe winter conditions, the start of the academic year, lack of housing and infrastructure in Syria, as well as limited job opportunities and security risks in some areas.
The High Commission launched several projects to improve living conditions in camps, in addition to supporting the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
In February 2025, the Commission launched a pilot project providing free transportation for those wishing to return to Syria, benefiting more than 10,000 people by the end of November.
In September 2025, the Commission launched the pilot phase of the cash assistance project for return in the Zaatari and Azraq camps, where eligible refugees received $100 (70 Jordanian dinars) per person as support for their decision to return to their homeland.
The spokesperson emphasized that returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, with necessary support provided to ensure a smooth return for refugees to their regions.
Moreover, the Commission provides advice and legal assistance to remove any administrative barriers before the return, facilitates exit interviews, and camp clearance procedures in close coordination with the Jordanian government.
One Third of the Funding
Taha stated that UNHCR received approximately $115,037,596 in financial support, representing 31% of the total funding required, leaving an estimated funding gap of $257,799,380, representing 69% of the needed funding.
Work Permits
Taha noted that from the beginning of 2025 until the end of November, 47,004 work permits were issued and renewed for Syrian refugees according to the data from the Ministry of Labor. He clarified that these numbers do not represent the actual number of permit holders, as multiple permits can be issued to the same individual within a year, including short-term or retroactive permits.
He indicated that the main sectors where refugees work include agriculture, construction, and the manufacturing and services sectors.
In light of reduced funding, the Commission in Jordan has rationalized expenses and rearranged its priorities, including closing the registration centers in Mafraq and Irbid governorates, while continuing to provide life-saving aid.
He affirmed that the commission continues coordinating with the government and partners to ensure the continuity of essential services and protection of the most vulnerable groups.
Next Year's Priority
He also confirmed that the commission's priority for the coming year will focus on ensuring continued support for refugees in Jordan, while simultaneously supporting those intending to return to Syria.
The commission estimated its budget needs for 2026 at $280 million, aiming to maintain services for those choosing to stay in Jordan and support voluntary return to Syria.
The UN organization explained that the reduction in funding needed for 2026 compared to 2025 is due to a reduction in refugee numbers, although the need for support remains very significant and large. This applies not only to UNHCR but also to all partners, including NGOs and government agencies involved in the refugee response.
According to Taha, the commission's 2026 strategy will focus on enhancing self-reliance and sustainable solutions, ensuring continued protection and services for those staying, and supporting voluntary return, guided by the principles of dignity, sustainability, partnership, protection priority, and the principle of "leaving no one behind."
Basic Needs
In 2025, the commission supported refugees in meeting their basic and urgent needs – including costs related to voluntary return, education, and protection – through providing cash assistance to more than 223,000 vulnerable women, men, and children, totaling approximately $38.4 million. Cash assistance for refugees forms the main social safety net for the most vulnerable groups and is life-saving in this respect.
According to the annual assessment in 2025, at least 38% of beneficiaries of cash assistance were able to meet half or more of their basic needs, while more than 90% reported that the assistance improved their living standards, enhanced financial stability, and reduced stress, as refugees primarily used the funds for rent, food, and healthcare.
About 95% of beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the cash assistance process overall, provided through digital financial transfers, including 66% through mobile wallets specifically for refugees. Mobile wallet transfers are key enablers for financial inclusion, allowing refugees access to safe, convenient, and modern financial services. However, thousands of vulnerable refugees receive no cash assistance due to funding shortages.
Resettlement
The spokesperson explained that during 2025, 1,463 refugees were resettled to third countries, including 1,177 individuals, or about 80% being Syrian refugees, while the number of non-Syrian refugees resettled was 286, accounting for about 20%.
Despite the closures of the registration centers in Irbid and Mafraq due to financial constraints, Taha confirmed that UNHCR successfully renewed documents for over 350,000 refugees of various nationalities during 2025, representing 95% of the active population.
He added that this achievement was realized through the introduction of self-service devices for document renewal in urban areas and camps, which contributed to reduced processing times and waiting hours, allowing refugees to manage their own data. Nationally, over 30,000 individuals used these devices to renew their documents.
In its efforts to reach refugees in remote areas, the commission conducted two mobile registration missions in southern governorates, providing services to 14,104 individuals who previously faced difficulties accessing registration and documentary support services, thereby ensuring the continuity of these services in hard-to-reach locations.
Information Provision
Throughout the year, UNHCR enhanced the role of its hotline as a primary communication and information channel, responding to over a million calls, booking approximately 53,000 registration appointments, efficiently processing about 29,000 of them through an interactive voice response system.
The commission provides comprehensive consultations, including legal advice, information exchange, and awareness-raising activities, either in person (at offices and borders) or through digital platforms.
According to Taha, this year, the commission's digital awareness campaigns reached over 200,000 refugees. To enable returnees to make informed decisions, the commission also provides a dedicated FAQ page on its website, covering all essential pre-departure questions.
