The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has described 2024 as one of the worst years for children affected by war, stating that the impact of conflicts on children worldwide has reached devastating levels.

According to the report, over 473 million children globally live in conflict-affected areas—meaning one in six children is directly affected by war and violence.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said: “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. A child growing up in a conflict zone is far more likely to be out of school, malnourished, or forced from their home—too often repeatedly—compared to a child living in places of peace. This must not be the new normal. We cannot allow a generation of children to become collateral damage to the world’s unchecked wars.”

UNICEF highlighted the escalation of conflicts in regions such as Palestine, Myanmar, Haiti, and Sudan, noting that the world is now experiencing the highest number of wars since World War II.

Despite making up only 30% of the global population, children account for 40% of refugees and 49% of internally displaced persons, according to UNICEF.

The report revealed that in war-torn countries, over one-third of the population (34.8%) lives below the poverty line, compared to just 10% in non-conflict countries.

UNICEF estimates that more than 52 million children in conflict-affected countries are out of school. Many children in Gaza and Sudan have missed over a year of schooling, while in countries such as Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Syria, the destruction or closure of schools has deprived millions of education.

UNICEF has called on all parties to conflicts and those who influence them to take immediate action to end the suffering of children, respect their rights, and adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.