A recent report by UN agencies has revealed that more than two-thirds of refugee and migrant children who reached Europe via Mediterranean and Balkan routes last year were unaccompanied. The report, published by the International Organisation for Migration, UNHCR, and Unicef, found that 67% of child arrivals were travelling alone, up from 51% in 2024. This increase is attributed to various factors, including poverty, conflict, and environmental hazards.
The report highlights that a total of 31,100 children arrived in European countries, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain, in 2025. Out of these, over 20,000 were recorded as unaccompanied or separated from a parent or guardian. Italy and Spain had the highest percentage of unaccompanied minors, with 86% of child arrivals falling into this category. The report also notes that the number of children arriving in Italy increased by 12% in 2025.
According to the report, many children arriving in Europe are fleeing conflict, poverty, and environmental hazards. The lack of safe migration pathways appears to be pushing more children into dangerous journeys and the hands of smugglers. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that the report shows how exposed children are to violence and exploitation when safe pathways are limited.
The report also found that the number of children involved in refugee resettlement procedures in Europe dropped significantly in 2025. Only 3,400 children were involved in such procedures, down from 8,900 in 2024. Additionally, only 199 children were relocated between European countries under the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism, a 67% decrease from the previous year.
Interviews with over 4,600 15- to 24-year-olds travelling along Mediterranean, West African Atlantic, and Western Balkan routes revealed that nearly half had experienced physical violence. Many reported multiple forms of violence, including torture and kidnapping in transit and at border crossings. Libya was the country most frequently identified as the location where abuses occurred.
The report also found that many children were deceived by smugglers, with about a tenth of those interviewed who had used the Eastern Mediterranean Route reporting that they had been falsely promised well-paid jobs, safe journeys, or legal travel documents. Pope urged closer co-operation between European states and countries along the routes to counter smuggling networks that prey on minors.
The UN agencies are calling for increased efforts to protect migrant and refugee children. The report emphasizes the need for safe migration pathways and increased co-operation between European states and countries along the routes to prevent further exploitation and violence against children.
Key points
- Over 20,000 unaccompanied minors arrived in Europe in 2025.
- The proportion of unaccompanied minors arriving in Europe rose to 67% in 2025.
- Nearly half of the children interviewed reported experiencing physical violence during their journey.
