Balkans Migration and Displacement Hub Data and Trends Analysis: Regional overview (January – March 2018)

Data and Trend Analysis (DATA) Refugees and Migrants at the Western Balkans Route Regional Overview, covering period January-March 2018, describes key trends in migrations in the region, detailing information about the number of people on the move, demography (age, sex, country of origin, etc), behavioral patterns, and routes in use – with a focus on children, particularly unaccompanied children.

Key trends showcased in this report:

– Mixed migrations flow along the Balkans route continues. More than 4,000 refugees and migrants are estimated to have arrived in the Balkans countries (other than Greece) in the first three months of 2018

– Children make about one-quarter of all refugees and migrants transiting through the Balkans, a significant number of whom traveled alone.

– The route through Albania and Montenegro towards Bosnia and Herzegovina became one of the most used transit corridors within the Western Balkans region

– More than 6,500 refugees and migrants were present in the Balkans countries (other than Greece) in the reporting period

DATA is a project launched by Save the Children’s Balkan Migration and Displacement Hub (BMDH). The goal of this initiative is to synthesize valuable information on migration, especially on refugee and migrant children, and contribute to evidence-based programming and policy-making within the region.