A start of the year with alarming figures
Catalonia is facing a critical situation with the arrival of unaccompanied foreign minors. In the first 31 days of January 2025, a total of 191 minors were recorded, a figure that, despite being lower than in January 2024 (371), represents the third highest since the beginning of the records .
Trends and patterns of arrivals
The arrivals do not show a predictable pattern throughout the year. Statistics indicate that the numbers are generally higher at the beginning of the year, decreasing during the spring, and then experienced an increase in summer and falling back to the end of the year. This variability makes it difficult to anticipate how many minors could arrive in 2025.
Possible scenarios for the future
If the current rhythm is maintained, Catalonia could see the arrival of up to 2,292 minors this year, which would make it the fifth highest in terms of arrivals since you have data, but the lowest of the last four years, Highlighting the chronization of this phenomenon.
Profile of the minors arrived
Of the 191 children who have arrived, 55.5% are originally from the Maghreb and 40.8% of sub -Saharan nations. In addition, most of them are men, with Barcelona (33.7%) and Girona (20.4%) as the most minor provinces.
The challenges of the reception
The reception of unaccompanied minors is a great challenge for the Catalan administration. The Generalitat has acknowledged that the minimum annual expense to manage this situation exceeds 100 million euros, a figure that could be even higher if all the associated costs were taken into account.
The current situation of minors
The lack of suitable space to house these young people has led to worrying situations, such as many of them having to spend the night in police stations of the Mossos d’Esquadra. These circumstances reflect the overflow experienced by the administration in the face of the constant increase in arrivals.
Reflections on the future
The situation of unaccompanied foreign minors in Catalonia is still a topic of debate and concern. Authorities need to find sustainable solutions that not only address the reception, but also the integration of these young people into society, in order to ensure a better future for them.
