Over 20,000 unaccompanied children reached Europe in 2025, UN agencies say

More than 20,000 children reached Europe in 2025 without a parent or guardian, according to United Nations agencies. The figure highlights the scale of unaccompanied child migration into the continent over the course of the year.

The head of the International Organization for Migration said limited availability of safe and legal pathways for migration leaves children vulnerable to smugglers, violence and exploitation during their journeys. The warning points to the risks faced by minors traveling without adult supervision, often over long and dangerous routes.

Calls for safer pathways

UN agencies tracking migration data have repeatedly flagged the vulnerability of unaccompanied minors, who are considered to be at heightened risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation compared with adult migrants. The latest figures reinforce longstanding calls from humanitarian organizations for expanded legal routes that would reduce children's reliance on smugglers and dangerous informal crossings.

The report does not break down the 20,000 figure by country of arrival or origin, nor does it detail the specific policy changes agencies are recommending beyond the general call for more safe pathways. The IOM and partner UN agencies continue to monitor child migration trends as part of their broader humanitarian response work in Europe.