Share of unaccompanied children among arrivals in Europe rises to 67% — Cyprus Mail
A report covering Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain states that in 2025, more than two-thirds of refugee and migrant children who reached Europe via the Mediterranean and Balkan routes were travelling unaccompanied. Their share rose to 67%, compared with 51% a year earlier, although the total number of child arrivals by land and sea fell by 25%.
More than 20,000 unaccompanied or separated children
As Cyprus Mail reports, the data were presented in a report by the International Organization for Migration, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF. Of the 31,100 children who arrived in these European countries in 2025, more than 20,000 were recorded as unaccompanied or separated from their parents or guardians.
In Italy and Spain, the share of unaccompanied children was 86%, higher than in the other countries. In Italy, the number of children arriving in the country increased by 12%; many of them were from Egypt, Eritrea, Bangladesh and Somalia.
Reduction in safe routes
The report’s authors noted that poverty, conflicts and environmental hazards are driving people to undertake risky sea crossings. At the same time, according to UN agencies, a reduction in safe migration options may push more children onto dangerous routes and into dependence on smugglers.
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The number of children involved in refugee resettlement procedures in Europe fell from 8,900 in 2024 to 3,400 in 2025. Under the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism between European countries, 199 children were relocated, none of whom were recorded as unaccompanied. This is 67% fewer than a year earlier.
Testimonies of violence
During a survey of more than 4,600 people aged 15 to 24 travelling along the Mediterranean, West African Atlantic and Western Balkan routes, nearly half reported physical violence. Testimonies included torture, kidnappings during transit and border crossings, as well as forced labour. Libya was most frequently named as the location of such abuses.
About one-tenth of respondents who used the Eastern Mediterranean route said they had been falsely promised well-paid work, a safe journey or legal documents to leave.
