More children than ever before live in conflict zones or have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to fighting, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.

Global Crises Leave Millions of Children Displaced, Malnourished, and Traumatised Amid Unchecked Armed Conflicts.

UNICEF reported over 52 million children out of school in 2024 due to conflicts, calling it one of the worst years for violations of children's rights worldwide. Around 473 million children -- more than one in six globally -- are living in areas affected by conflict.

Almost 19 per cent of the world’s children – over 47.3 crore – now live in conflict zones, and 47.2 million have been displaced by conflict and violence. • From Palestine to Myanmar, Haiti to Sudan, the world is experiencing the highest number of conflicts since World War II.

“By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years on record for children in conflict in UNICEF’s history – both in terms of the number of children affected and the level of impact on their lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

More than 52 million children in conflict-affected countries are not attending school, with many in Gaza and Sudan missing over a year of education.