Retrieve UNHCR Populations of Concern Time Series Data

Retrieve and create a data.table, data.frame of UNHCR Populations of Concern Time Series (1961-2019) data from the official UNHCR API. These include populations of UNHCR Mandated Refugees, Asylum-Seekers, IDPs of Concern to UNHCR, Venezuelans Displaced Abroad, Stateless Persons, and Others of UNHCR Concern.

getUNref()

Value

A data.table, data.frame.

Data Structure

Based on limited availability of metadata, the Demographic Populations of Concern Time Series dataset columns are as follows:

year

The year of record for the observations.

coo_id

UNHCR numeric country code for the country of origin.

coo_name

The UNHCR name of applicantss country of origin.

coo

UNHCR character country code for the country of origin.

coo_iso

ISO3C country code for the country of origin.

coa_id

UNHCR numeric country code for the country of asylum.

coa_name

The UNHCR name of the applicants country of asylum.

coa

UNHCR character country code for the country of asylum.

coa_iso

ISO3C country code for the country of asylum.

refugees

Number of refugees. See below.

asylum_seekers

Number of persons applying for asylum status. See below.

returned_refugees

Refugees returned to origin country. See below.

idps

Internally displaced persons. See below.

returned_idps

Returned internally displaced persons.

stateless

Stateless persons.

ooc

Other populations of concern.

vda

Females aged 18-59 years old.

Population Designations

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Populations of Concern Time Series dataset contains annual dyadic flows between countries for populations of concern. This dataset tracks 8 distinct populations:

Refugees (refugees)

These are individuals recognized under the Geneva Convention of 1951 as refugees or persons in "refugee like situations." These persons are defined as 1) being present outside of their home country, 2) have a well-founded fear of persecution, and 3) lack the protection of their own country.

Asylum-seekers (asylum_seekers)

Individuals seeking international protection, but whose refugee status has yet to be verified.

Internally Displaced Persons (idps)

Individuals or groups of people forced from their home as a result of armed conflict, natural or man-made disasters, or human rights violations, but have not crossed an international border.This group of IDPs are tracked by UNHCR and differ from estimates available from the Global Internal Displacement Database (GIDD), which is also available from the UNHCR Data Finder

Venezuelans Displaced Abroad (vda)

persons of Venezuelan origin who are likely to be in need of international protection under the criteria contained in the Cartagena Declaration, but who have not applied for asylum in the country in which they are present.

Stateless Persons (stateless)

Individuals defined under international law not considered as belonging to any Nation-State.

Others of Concern (ooc)

Individuals who are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal declarations, but are under UNHCR protection or receiving UNHCR assistance.

Returned IDPs returned_idps

Returned internally displaced persons.

Returned Refugees returned_refugees

Returned refugees.