Children in Conflict

Today, approximately 473 million children are living within a conflict zone.

The number and share of children growing up in close proximity to conflict has increased sharply in the last decades.

Children in conflict zones
Children in conflict zones

Over time, despite some fluctuations, there has been a steady increase in the number and share of children living in conflict zones. The number has almost doubled since the mid-1990s. Also the share of children in conflict zones has almost doubled from 10% in mid-1990s to 19% today. While childhood in armed conflict has profound and lasting effects, the intensity of conflicts varies widely. From areas experiencing a single lethal incident in a year to those enduring over a thousand, the level of exposure significantly influences children's experiences. This section examines the countries where children reside within conflict zones, providing insights into the intensity of the conflict they face.

methodology
In 2023, about 473 million children – more than one in six – were living in a conflict zone

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19902023

The Six Grave Violations against children
The Six Grave Violations against children

Since 2005, the UN has reported and verified six specified grave violations against children in situations of conflict. These are presented in annual United Nations reports on children and armed conflict. Cases and incidents of the following violations are monitored: Killing and maiming of children, recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups, abduction of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, denial of humanitarian access to children, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
methodology
Overall, 31,721 grave violations against children were verified in 2023, the highest-ever since reporting started in 2005.

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20062023

The ten worst conflict-affected countries to be a child
The ten worst conflict-affected countries to be a child

Based on an analysis of verified cases and incidents of the six grave violations against children, as well data on i) share of child population and ii) number of children living in conflict zones and iii) lethality of the conflict, the ten worst conflict-affected countries to be a child are identified.

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The Six Grave Violations

Peace Research Institute Oslo research

1Myanmar
2Democratic Republic of Congo
3Burkina Faso
4Somalia
5Sudan
6Yemen
7Nigeria
8Mali
9Ukraine
10Palestine

Humanitarian funding for child protection
Humanitarian funding for child protection

In humanitarian settings annual plans to respond to the most pressing needs are prepared. They are presented by the UN and partners to the international community – with a price tag. The plans include interventions on Child Protection, meaning efforts to prevent violations against children and assist children who need protection in different ways. The overall plans are chronically underfunded at arouond 60%. Zooming in on Child Protection within the plans, even less of the funds needed are received, only 20%.
methodology
In 2021, only around one fifth of the funds needed to protect children in humanitarian settings were received.

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20192022

Children at risk of recruitment in conflict
Children at risk of recruitment in conflict

In collaboration with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) we have calculated how many children live 50km or closer to armed conflicts where at least one conflict actor has been reported to perpetrate recruitment of children in a given year based on numerous public international datasets.

methodology
We estimate that a staggering 337 million children live in or near conflicts where armed groups or forces recruited and used children in conflict in 2020

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19902020

Children at risk of sexual violence
Children at risk of sexual violence

In collaboration with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) we have calculated how many children live 50km or closer to armed conflicts where at least one conflict actor have perpetrated sexual violence against children in a given year based on numerous public international datasets.

methodology
In almost 70% of conflicts where sexual violence against civilians is committed, the violence is perpetrated against children as well.

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19902019

download our latest report

Stop the War on Children: Pathways to peace (2024)

see other reports

Let children live in peace (2023)

Unprotected Special Edition: Analysis of funding for child protection in armed conflict in 2021 and 2022 (2023)

Stop the War on Children - the forgotten ones (2022)

Weapon of War: Sexual violence against children in conflict (2021)

Stop the War on Children - a crisis of recruitment (2021)

Stop the War on Children - gender matters (2020)

Five years of fear and loss (2020)

Stop the War on Children - gender matters - the West and Central Africa Brief (2020)

Stop the War on Children - killed and maimed (2020)

Still Unprotected: Humanitarian funding for Child Protection (2020)

Unprotected: Crisis in humanitarian funding for child protection (2019)

Stop the War on Children - protecting children in the 21st century (2019)

Blast injuries - the impact of explosive weapons on children in conflict (2019)

Road to recovery (2019)

The War on Children - time to end grave violations against children in conflict (2018)

Too little, too late: Child protection funding in emergencies (2011)