As of 2017, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide was estimated at 68.5 million by UNHCR, including 40 million internally displaced persons, 25.4 million refugees and 3.1 million asylum-seekers. More than half of the 25.4 million refugees were children (below 18 years of age).[3] Refugee children are five times more likely to be out of school compared to their global peers. Forcibly displaced persons are especially underrepresented in higher levels of education.