Children affected by armed conflict, 1990–2024

In 2024, the number of children under the age of 18 living in conflict zones reached a record high: 520 million – over one in five worldwide (20.7%) – were living within 50 km of violent conflict events. The global share has more than doubled since the mid-1990s, when about one in ten children were affected. Africa is now the region with both the highest number (218 million) and the highest share (32.6%) of children living in conflict zones. This policy brief presents the annual update, commissioned by Save the Children and produced by PRIO. The findings underscore the urgent need for stronger action to protect children from the impacts of war.