In 2021, more than two thirds of the world’s children were living in a conflict-ridden country and more than one in six were living less than 50 km from where the actual fighting took place. For the first time since 2013, the overall number of children living in conflict zones has decreased. However, it seems that the number of children living in areas of more intense conflicts has increased. This policy brief provides the yearly update of the number of children at risk from violent conflict around the world. The mapping is commissioned by Save the Children and generated by PRIO.
Brief Points
In 2021 approximately 449 million children (more than one in six) were living in a conflict zone.
This number has decreased for the first time since 2013. However, it seems that the subset of these children living in areas of high intensity conflict has increased.
In 2021, approximately 36% of all conflict-affected were living within 50 km of conflict event(s) that saw 25 or more battle-related deaths.
In 2021 Africa was the world region with the highest total number of children living in conflict zones (180 million children), followed by Asia (152 million).
The Middle East continued to have the highest share of children living in conflict zones (31%of all children in the region).
Source: Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)