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Children Sleeping on Streets in France Increase 9% in a Year to 2,355
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Children Sleeping on Streets in France Increase 9% in a Year to 2,355

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The number of children sleeping on the streets in France has risen by 9% in one year and 42% since 2022, totaling 2,355.
  • UNICEF France and the Federation of Solidarity Actors highlighted that these figures do not capture all cases and warned of dramatic consequences for children's health, safety, and education.
  • The organizations urged public officials to take urgent action, referencing President Macron's past commitment to end child homelessness.

The number of children sleeping on the streets in France has surged, with a 9% increase in the past year and a staggering 42% rise since 2022, according to UNICEF France and the Federation of Solidarity Actors (FAS).

These organizations reported that 2,355 children are currently homeless. Among them, 514 are under the age of three. They emphasized that these figures likely underestimate the true extent of the problem, as many individuals do not register with the 115 helpline for the homeless.

Behind this figure, a consequence of collective failure, are children whose daily lives are marked by insecurity and instability. Children deprived of their rights and whose future is mortgaged.

— Adeline HazanThe president of UNICEF France described the situation of homeless children.

The consequences for these children are dire, leading to physical and mental health deterioration, increased exposure to violence, and significant educational challenges. In the most extreme cases, homelessness can be fatal. In 2025, 14 children under four and 12 adolescents aged 15 to 18 died on the streets in France.

"Behind this figure, a consequence of collective failure, are children whose daily lives are marked by insecurity and instability. Children deprived of their rights and whose future is mortgaged," stated Adeline Hazan, president of UNICEF France. Hazan called for immediate action from public officials, questioning the nation's priorities if ensuring shelter for all children is not paramount. The associations recalled President Emmanuel Macron's 2017 New Year's Eve pledge to provide shelter for everyone and his government's 2022 reiteration of a "zero child on the street" commitment.

If ensuring shelter for all children is not our priority, what is?

— Adeline HazanThe president of UNICEF France urged public officials to prioritize child homelessness.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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