The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) monitored a total of 97.2 million people worldwide in 2025, providing data to support humanitarian responses, displacement solutions and regular migration pathways.

According to the DTM Strategic Priorities for 2026–2028, the programme conducted 706,386 household interviews and worked with 791,141 key informants during the year.

The report also said 95 per cent of Humanitarian Needs Response Plans (HNRPs), representing 19 out of 20 plans, were informed by DTM data and analysis.

At the end of 2025, DTM had 76 active operations, following activities in 91 countries at the beginning of the year. The population monitored included internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, migrants and other population groups.

For more than 20 years, DTM has provided data and analysis to governments and humanitarian, peace and development actors to support evidence-based decision-making during emergencies, post-crisis recovery and migration operations.

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee formally recognised DTM in 2024 as a leading provider of country-level data on internally displaced persons.

In its 2026–2028 strategy, the programme identified three main objectives: saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating pathways for regular migration.

Under its humanitarian response priorities, DTM plans to strengthen data collection and analysis, improve coordination among humanitarian actors and promote the safe and ethical management of information.

The programme also intends to improve the interoperability of data systems, enabling information to be shared more efficiently across platforms and organisations. It said stronger operational structures would support both rapid emergency responses and longer-term strategic planning.

Focus on durable solutions to displacement

DTM plans to expand its work on durable solutions for displaced populations by providing data to help governments and partners understand the needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances of displaced people.

The strategy builds on IOM’s Solutions and Mobility Index (SMI), launched in 2022 and implemented in more than 20 countries since then.

The index provides context-specific data and analysis to support long-term responses in crisis-affected communities, including stabilisation, recovery and durable solutions.

DTM also plans to strengthen its methodologies for measuring progress towards solutions, support national authorities in developing locally owned responses and expand analysis of employment and livelihoods.

The programme further intends to deepen partnerships with academic institutions, multilateral development banks and the private sector to improve data collection and analysis.

In partnership with Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of International Migration, IOM launched the Periodic Global Report on the State of Solutions to Internal Displacement (PROGRESS) in 2023.

The 2026 edition is expected to become the first biennial, inter-agency, United Nations system-wide report on solutions to internal displacement. It will be coordinated with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, the United Nations Development Programme and the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

Strengthening migration route monitoring

To support regular migration pathways, DTM plans to strengthen its route-based approach to understanding migration movements across countries and regions.

The programme said migration journeys are often interconnected and shaped by conditions in countries of origin and transit, as well as wider geopolitical developments.

Its Flow Monitoring activities and targeted research aim to provide more comprehensive information on migration patterns, migrants’ characteristics, vulnerabilities and protection needs.

DTM also plans to improve data quality, produce more detailed analysis of migration routes and strengthen collaboration with partners throughout migrants’ journeys.

Its Global Overview of Migration Routes portal brings together information on migrant numbers, demographics, nationalities, movement trends, deaths and disappearances to help policymakers and researchers understand migration dynamics.

Climate mobility and technological innovation

The strategy also highlights the importance of understanding how climate change and disasters affect human mobility.

DTM’s climate and environmental assessments are designed to provide evidence before, during and after hazards, helping governments and partners plan early action, strengthen disaster preparedness and support affected communities.

The assessments cover climate baselines, emergency impacts and vulnerability to hazards such as droughts, floods and cyclones.

Meanwhile, DTM plans to modernise its data systems and improve the accessibility and use of information through technological innovation.

In 2025, the programme had 496 technical experts across country, regional and global teams. Its operations included monitoring migration flows, tracking internal displacement, assessing durable solutions and post-crisis contexts, and collecting data on transhumance.

The strategy identifies three cross-cutting priorities for 2026–2028: building resilient and adaptive data systems, improving the accessibility and usability of DTM data, and diversifying its donor base to ensure sustainable funding.

It also emphasises stronger coordination and evidence-based action at national, regional and global levels.

DTM said sustained investment in staff capacity, technical systems and organisational support would be essential to maintaining its ability to respond to changing humanitarian and migration needs.