Published • loading... • Updated
More unaccompanied children are taking dangerous crossings to Europe, UN says - BusinessWorld Online
UN agencies said 67% of child arrivals traveled alone, and nearly half of surveyed young migrants reported physical violence on key routes.
- A joint report from United Nations agencies released Wednesday shows 31,100 children arrived in Europe in 2025, with the proportion traveling alone rising to 67% from 51% in 2024 despite an overall 25% drop in total arrivals.
- IOM Director General Amy Pope said the report showed "how exposed they are to violence and exploitation when safe pathways are limited and they have to rely on smugglers." Poverty and conflict remain primary drivers.
- Interviews with over 4,600 young travelers revealed nearly half experienced physical violence; on the Central Mediterranean route, 28% reported being held against their will and 17% forced to work.
- Italy and Spain recorded the highest proportions of unaccompanied minors, with 86% of children arriving in those countries doing so without a parent or guardian.
- These findings emerge four months into the European bloc's new asylum rulebook, which began applying on June 12, 2026, to manage migration while keeping unaccompanied children out of accelerated border procedures.
Insights by Ground AI
25 Articles
25 Articles
Limited safe routes leave children exposed to smugglers, violence, exploitation, says head of International Organization for Migration
·Ankara, Türkiye
Read Full Article
More than two-thirds of the minors who reached Europe via various migration routes in 2025 did so without a parent or other adult companion. Many of them faced exploitation and violence along the way.
·Amsterdam, Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Read Full Article
A joint report by United Nations agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF and IOM) for 2025 has been published, which captures the situation of minor refugees and migrants entering Europe.
·Marousi, Greece
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left4Leaning Right8Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Right
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Right
53% Right
L 27%
C 20%
R 53%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
