UN REPORT: Nearly 50,000 killed in conflicts in 2024 as global displacement reaches 123 million

International

NEW YORK, United States (NPA) — The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has raised concerns over the growing human cost of conflict, revealing that nearly 50,000 people were killed in violent conflicts around the world in 2024.

The findings were contained in the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report titled “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,” which assesses global progress under Goal 16 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

According to the report, the death toll translates to approximately one person killed every 12 minutes, with women and children among the most affected victims of armed conflicts and violence.

The report also highlighted the worsening global displacement crisis, noting that by the end of 2024, an estimated 123.2 million people had been forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, and insecurity.

Despite some progress in reducing violent crime, the UN said global efforts remain far from achieving established targets.

While homicide rates declined by 12 per cent between 2015 and 2023, the reduction remains significantly below the global target of cutting such deaths by 50 per cent.

The report further identified persistent challenges in access to justice, revealing that approximately one in every three prisoners worldwide remains in detention without a proper sentence.

UN DESA also expressed concern over threats facing journalists and human rights defenders, warning that civic space continues to shrink in many parts of the world.

According to the report, the number of journalists killed globally increased by 11 per cent in 2024, with conflict zones remaining among the most dangerous environments for media practitioners.

Despite the challenges, the report pointed to several areas of progress.

These include improvements in budget reliability and public financial management, the expansion of access-to-information laws, and an increase in the number of countries operating national human rights institutions that comply with international standards.

However, the UN cautioned that substantial gaps remain in efforts to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions capable of delivering justice, protecting rights, and sustaining peace.

The organisation stressed that stronger institutions, improved governance, and greater respect for human rights remain critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The report serves as a reminder that while progress has been recorded in some areas, significant work remains to address conflict, displacement, injustice, and threats to fundamental freedoms across the world.