There are 50 million refugees worldwide — the highest number ever recorded

According to the 2015 Global Peace Index report, there are currently more 50 million displaced people worldwide right now. This count, which includes refugees and internally displaced persons, marks the highest count since the detailed record-keeping began. Not since World War II has the number of refugees and displaced persons surpassed the 50 million mark.

That already astounding number keeps on growing: The current count translates to about 1 displaced person per every 133 people worldwide, and every day 45,000 more displaced or stranded persons are added to the count. The highest numbers are concentrated in the Middle East, namely Iraq and Syria. Perhaps more surprising is the uptick in internally displaced persons in Colombia, due to the government’s ongoing battle with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. At this point, the cost of displacement totals $100 billion annually, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre.

While these numbers — and the associated cost — most obviously underline a growing, worldwide refugee crisis, they also underscore a rise in violence across the globe. The report also revealed that the world has become increasingly violent over the last eight years. A crisis, indeed.

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