Children in Conflict

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.

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.

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.