Historical story

How many child solders have died?

It is difficult to determine the exact number of child soldiers who have died in conflicts around the world. Various organizations and sources provide estimates based on different criteria and methodologies. For example:

- According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), over 250,000 child soldiers were recruited in armed conflicts between 2016 and 2017, with an average age range of 10 to 18 years.

- The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers estimates that there are currently over 200,000 child soldiers actively involved in conflicts worldwide.

- The charity War Child UK states that approximately 300,000 children have died in armed conflicts in the past decade. However, this figure may not exclusively represent child soldiers and could include other child victims.

It's important to note that these estimates are approximate and subject to change due to ongoing conflicts and limited data availability. Child soldier deaths can result from combat, disease, malnutrition, accidents, or post-conflict violence. Additionally, many cases likely go unreported or undocumented.