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Picture shows minors disembarking from the private Life Support rescue vessel at the port of Civitavecchia, Rome, earlier this week | Photo: ARCHIVE/ANSA
Picture shows minors disembarking from the private Life Support rescue vessel at the port of Civitavecchia, Rome, earlier this week | Photo: ARCHIVE/ANSA

Number of unaccompanied migrant minors in Italy up ten times since 2015

Latest update : 2023/05/05
By ANSA Latest update : 2023/05/05

The number of migrant children and teens reaching Italy's coasts is on the rise while the average age of unaccompanied minors is also decreasing.

The Italian hosting and integration system (SAI) is assisting an increasing number of foreign minors who are arriving in the country alone. That's according to a report titled, "The hosting and integration system and unaccompanied migrant minors," published on May 3 by ANCI-Cittalia, the foundation of the Association of Italian municipalities promoting social policies for integration.

While there were only 1,142 unaccompanied migrant minors in 2015, that number had reached 8,075 in 2021, marking a 600% rise. It now stands at more than 12,000 -- over ten times the number of 2015.

This trend has been further confirmed by the latest landings in Italy, with a growing number of unaccompanied minors coming. Meanwhile, the average age of the minors is also decreasing, with more children and fewer 17-year-olds arriving on migrant boats.

Addressing the needs of underage migrants

The trend is also leading to questions about migrant hosting measures, especially to meet the needs of underage minors.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said that there will be "an increase of places between Sicily and Calabria to prevent a situation of emergency on Lampedusa and to manage arrivals in an orderly manner" -- however, that statement was made without addressing the specific requirements of unaccompanied minors.

Matteo Bifani, the mayor of Prato, who is in charge of migration policies at ANCI, expressed "concern" of being able to provide the best assistance to children and teens. He said the migrant hosting system (SAI) generally works well, but "only needs to be structured."

Italy's ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents Carla Garlatti also stressed that the "system is working, despite difficulties," calling for "massive interventions" to make sure that young migrants get additional support.

The report on rising numbers of unaccompanied migrants was released earlier in the week on the same day that Italy's Lower House confirmed its confidence in the government with a decree law on migration with 213 votes in favour, 133 against and five abstentions.