The number of unaccompanied minor refugees in Germany has increased significantly over the past two years. Following a years-long decline, according to data published Wednesday (May 31) by the federal Ministry for Family Affairs, the number roughly doubled between September 2021 and October 2022.

"The fact that more and more minors are now setting out without parents is an alarming sign," said Family Minister Lisa Paus. "Unaccompanied minors usually have a long odyssey through several countries behind them and have often experienced terrible things."

Here are some highlights of the report, which is based on official statistics and results from surveys of youth welfare offices, professional associations and facilities housing unaccompanied children and teenagers:

• Afghanistan, Syria and Somalia were the main countries of origin of unaccompanied minors and young adults in 2021.
• In the same year, about nine out of ten unaccompanied children and adolescents were male.
• In 2022, around 40% of those concerned came from Afghanistan and around 34% from Syria.
• 17,657 unaccompanied refugees under 18 were registered in Germany as of October 31, 2022;
• this is more than twice as many as on September 30, 2021, when there were 8,267*
• The number of unaccompanied minors reached its peak in February 2016, when more than 60,000 of them were registered in Germany.
• Unaccompanied refugee minors have been very motivated to learn German, attend school and integrate into society, according to the report.
• By October 2022, 3,891 unaccompanied minors were registered in Germany who arrived from Ukraine following Russia's invasion last year. Since this figure also includes minors who later traveled on to other countries, returned home or were reunited with relatives in Germany, it is of very limited significance, according to the report.

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

Fewer missing refugee minors

On Wednesday (May 31), the federal cabinet approved the annual new 'Report on the Situation of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors,' which was prepared by the Family Ministry.

The situation regarding missing unaccompanied refugee children has "improved considerably" according to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), according to the report. Over the course of the past five years, an average of about 2,500 cases had been registered.

"The most common cause of disappearance, according to the BKA, is voluntary departure from assigned shelters, for example, to seek out family members or acquaintances in Germany or abroad," the German-language report reads.

Unaccompanied minors "continue to have an increased need for accompaniment, assistance and support, although this is very heterogeneous," the Ministry of Family Affairs said in a statement.

Also read: 'A child needs more than food and shelter': The fate of unaccompanied minors on the Canary Islands

Strained accommodation system

While unaccompanied refugee minors received "reception, accommodation and care that is largely legally secure and in the best interests of the child," the report went on to say, the coronavirus pandemic with its social distancing regulations in care and counseling settings as well as the cancellation of spare time activities were "serious strains on the everyday life of unaccompanied minors and made their integration more difficult."

Looking ahead, the report said that the rising number of arrivals were straining the German states and authorities' ability to provide accommodation and care for the young and vulnerable people.

A shortage of skilled workers was another challenge, the Ministry for Family Affairs explained.

Also read: 'Unimaginable danger' -- child refugees stuck in Sudan wait for UK's family reunification process

with AFP, dpa, EPD

*The figure does not include the 9,568 young adults who are also under the purview of the child and adolescent support (German: Kinder- und Jugendhilfe).