Children and Migration

Millions of children around the world are affected by migration. This includes girls and boys who migrate within and between countries (usually with their families but sometimes on their own), as well as children ‘left behind’ when their parents or caregivers migrate in search of economic opportunities. Be it forced or voluntary, by adults or children, migration affects children’s care situations and can entail risks to their protection.

Children on the move: Like adults, children often migrate in an attempt to build a better life – to escape poverty, discrimination or conflict, and to find education, employment and other opportunities. Others relocate due to an unstable or difficult family environment, such as the loss of a parent, or neglect or abuse from a caregiver. Children may migrate with or without their families, and their movements may be temporary, seasonal or permanent.

While migration can open up new opportunities for children, it can also expose them to harmful care situations, chronic poverty, violence and exploitation. During transit and at their destination, migrant children may end up in unsafe institutions, detention centres, on the streets or in overcrowded, poor-quality accommodation. Others who migrate to join households (e.g. for fostering, education, domestic work or apprenticeships) may be subjected to exploitation. Many migrant children, particularly those without documentation, end up without access to education, protection or basic services, while discrimination and language barriers make it difficult for them to reintegrate into new communities.

Children left behind. An increasing number of children around the world are also adversely affected when migrating parents leave home to seek out employment or economic opportunities (often in urban centres). While children may gain materially from remittances sent home, the absence of a parent may be detrimental to their social and psychological development. In particular, the nature and quality of children’s care relationships may suffer as they adjust to life without a loved caregiver and try to replace a physically and emotionally nurturing relationship with someone new.

Studies from around the world indicate that children left behind by migrating caretakers face education, health and psychosocial problems, including deteriorating academic performance and lower school attendance, greater risk of drug abuse, early pregnancy, involvement in criminal activities and social dysfunction. Left behind children may suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of abandonment, and in the worst cases may be vulnerable to violence, abuse and trafficking. While new or remaining caretakers can offer children a protective and caring environment they may also struggle to care for them without support, and breakdown of these relationships can sometimes result in children’s placement in harmful institutional care.

The documents in this section focus on the impact of migration on children’s care situations, and outline policy, advocacy and programmatic measures to enhance child migrants’ protection.

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Child Migration: Who, Where, When and Why?

Chiara Galli, 09 Jan 2024

This chapter, which is part of the "Handbook of Human Mobility and Migration" reviews the literature on child migration, highlighting how children compare from adults in their migratory aspirations and migration decision-making, as well as in their experiences in receiving countries in the European and US contexts, where groups of children such as unaccompanied minors benefit from humanitarian protections unavailable to adults.

Supporting Integration: A Toolkit for Practitioners Working with Children and Young People on the Move

Family for Every Child, 31 Dec 2023

The ‘Supporting Integration’ toolkit documents and shares good practice guidance for practitioners working with child migrants. The toolkit was developed as part of a three year project which involved research into the integration of children moving from the Middle East to Europe, and aims to enhance integration support and services, ensuring that children and young people are provided with a care that fosters their development and well-being.

Erasing Identities Through Forcible Transfer of Children from Ukraine to Russia

Child Identity Protection, 06 Dec 2023

Judge Raul Pangalangan International Criminal Court Judge (2015 – 2021)

Parental Migration and Education: Lived Experiences of Dalit and Adivasi Children in a Village of Madhya Pradesh

Rajshree Chanchal, Ajit Kumar Lenka, 26 Nov 2023

The article grapples with the tacit interplay of poverty, caste, and gender and its effects on the education of children in a village. It explores how pandemic-induced school closure impacted the life chances of marginalised children during and after the pandemic in the ‘deprived geography’ of rural Madhya Pradesh, India.

Unheard Voices: The Living Reality of Unaccompanied Refugee Children in Jordan

Sara Ahmad Taha, Manal Anabtawi, 18 Nov 2023

This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of unaccompanied refugee children in Jordan and shed light on their unique challenges and needs.

Child Abuse and Neglect - The International Journal

Children Displaced in a Changing Climate: Preparing for a future that’s already underway

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

‘Children displaced in a changing climate: Preparing for a future already underway’ analyses the most common weather-related hazards that lead to the largest number of displacements: floods, storms, droughts and wildfires.

Enfants Déplacés par les Changements Climatiques: Se préparer à un avenir déjà en marche

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

Ainsi, le présent rapport analyse les aléas météorologiques les plus courants à l’origine de la majeure partie des déplacements, à savoir les inondations, les tempêtes, les sécheresses et les feux incontrôlés.

Niños y Niñas Desplazados Por el Cambio Climático Prepararse Para un Futuro Que ya Está Aquí

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

El informe analiza los peligros meteorológicos más comunes que provocan el mayor número de desplazamientos: inundaciones, tormentas, sequías e incendios forestales.

Training of Trainers | Unaccompanied and Separated Children

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, 30 Sep 2023

The Unaccompanied and Separated Children Training of Trainers (UASC TOT) course is designed to prepare participants to facilitate training on unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). This training reinforces participants’ understanding of the specific needs of UASC, highlight good practice in working with unaccompanied and separated children under a protection framework, and provide participants the opportunity to apply learning so they can roll out training on UASC within their own organisation and to other stakeholders.

Manual on Child-Specific Data Capacity Strengthening on Children on the Move

International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC), Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), 01 Sep 2023

This manual aims to help countries and their national statistical systems to improve the collection, analysis, sharing and use of data on children on the move.