Two-thirds of migrant children arriving in Europe in 2025 were unaccompanied

Wednesday 07 - 18:52

By: Azzat Manal

Two-thirds of migrant children arriving in Europe in 2025 were unaccompanied

More than 31,000 children reached Europe through major mixed migration routes in 2025, with around two-thirds arriving without a parent or legal guardian, according to a joint assessment by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNICEF.

The report examined arrivals recorded in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain, highlighting a significant change in the profile of children reaching European shores and borders. Although the overall number of child arrivals declined compared with 2024, the proportion of unaccompanied minors increased sharply.

Around 31,100 children arrived across the six countries in 2025, representing a 25% decrease from the previous year. At the same time, unaccompanied children accounted for 67% of all recorded child arrivals, compared with 51% in 2024. In Italy and Spain, the proportion was particularly high, reaching 86%.

Italy was the main exception to the broader decline. Nearly 14,100 children arrived in the country during 2025, an increase of about 12% from the previous year. The children came from a range of countries, including Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, Bangladesh and Ethiopia, according to the report.

The figures also draw attention to the dangers faced by young people during their journeys. Children travelling without family members or other responsible adults can be particularly exposed to violence, exploitation, abuse and trafficking at different stages of their migration routes.

Evidence collected by the IOM among more than 4,600 adolescents and young adults aged between 15 and 24 further illustrates the risks associated with irregular migration journeys. Almost half of those surveyed reported experiencing physical violence. Along the Central Mediterranean route, 28% said they had been held against their will, while 17% reported being forced to work.

International organisations have called for stronger cooperation between European countries and states along migration routes to improve protection for children travelling alone. They have also stressed the importance of expanding safe and regular pathways, arguing that limited legal options can leave young migrants more dependent on dangerous routes and smugglers.

At the same time, opportunities for children to reach Europe through protection mechanisms declined in 2025. About 3,400 children were resettled in Europe during the year, compared with roughly 8,900 in 2024. Transfers between European countries under the voluntary solidarity mechanism also fell substantially, with only 199 children relocated, a 67% decrease from the previous year.

The demand for international protection remained high. Around 214,600 children applied for protection in Europe in 2025, with first-time applications accounting for 79% of the total. Germany, France, Spain and Greece together received 71% of those first applications.

The report also recorded nearly 210,900 first-instance decisions on asylum applications submitted by children. About 56% resulted in a positive decision, while the number of negative decisions increased by 25% compared with the previous year.

The international agencies are urging European authorities to place the best interests of children at the centre of migration and asylum policies. Their recommendations include rapid access to essential services, avoiding immigration detention of children and ensuring that unaccompanied minors receive appropriate legal representation.

The organisations also recommend that age-assessment procedures be used only when genuinely necessary and carried out through child-sensitive methods, with safeguards and access to appeal. The data underline that, despite the overall decline in child arrivals, a growing share of those reaching Europe are making the journey without parental protection or adult guardianship.