Report: A new report by Save the Children reveals that over 4,000 children have lost their lives on migration routes across the globe between 2014 and early 2025. The international organization attributes the alarming toll to factors such as conflict, poverty, food insecurity, and climate change.
The report identifies the most hazardous paths for young migrants, including the journey from Afghanistan to Iran, crossings over the Mediterranean Sea, treks through the Sahara Desert, and attempts to reach the U.S. via the Mexico border.
“Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that the Mediterranean remains the deadliest route, followed by the Sahara Desert, the Afghanistan-Iran corridor, and the U.S.–Mexico crossing,” the report stated. Drowning accounts for nearly half of all child migrant fatalities, with vehicle accidents and unsafe transport conditions responsible for around 14% of deaths.
Save the Children also highlighted a significant decline in international aid as a contributing factor to increased child migration and urged governments to take immediate action to protect vulnerable children. The organization stressed the need for better data collection on the experiences of child migrants—covering health, education, and causes of death—to inform effective responses.
The crisis is particularly acute in Afghanistan, where ongoing economic hardship has driven many children and youth to seek safety and opportunities in neighboring countries.
