Refugees, asylum seekers top 50 million

There are 51.2 million people who have no place to call home.

That's how many refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people there are in the world right now.

In more visual terms, that's enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground 512 times over.

It's the first time since World War II that the number affected has exceeded 50 million.

The United Nation refugee agency's latest global trend report reveals a six-million increase in people fleeing their homes in 2013.

The increase was largely driven by the civil war in Syria from which 2.5 million people fled to neighbouring countries and another 6.5 million displaced inside its borders.

Unrest in Africa, especially in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, also contributed to the rise.

Afghans, Syrians and Somalis together made up more than half the number of global refugees.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres urged the international community to resolve conflicts.

"Peace is today dangerously in deficit," he said.

Friday is World Refugee Day.