Between January and July 2026, Police Headquarters recorded a total of 15,717 cases of missing children across the country. However, 13,679 of those children—representing approximately 87 percent—have already been rescued or have reunited with their families. A total of 2,038 children remain unaccounted for, accounting for roughly 13 percent of the reported cases.
Police Headquarters released this updated data in an official press release on Thursday (September 3, 2026). The clarification comes in response to recent media reports highlighting that over 15,000 children went missing in seven months, which created public anxiety. Law enforcement emphasized that earlier reports presented an incomplete picture by omitting recovery statistics. The authorities noted that the introduction of an accessible online General Diary (GD) system has significantly increased the rate of formal reports being filed.
According to police analysis, children aged 0 to 9 primarily go missing after getting lost outside familiar surroundings or being unable to state their address. Conversely, for adolescents aged 10 to 17, the primary drivers behind running away include family disputes, academic pressure, peer or social media influence, and a desire for independence.
