What are street children?

General Definition: Children (under 18 years) who spend most of their time on the streets. There are between 10 to 100 million street children worldwide, depending on the exact definition used.

Street Living Children: children who cut ties with their families and live alone on the streets

• In Phnom Penh: 1,200 per day (Mith Samlanh / Friends survey June 2001)
• 20% girls
• Mostly 12-18 years old

Street Working Children: children who spend all their time or most of their time working on the streets to provide income for their families or for themselves. These children have a home to return to and do not usually sleep on the streets.

• In Phnom Penh: 10,000 to 20,000 children (depends on definition)
• 50% girls
• Mostly 6 to 15 years old

Children of Street Living Families: children who live with their family on the streets.

• In Phnom Penh: from 500 to 1,500 (depends on situations in the provinces)
• 50% girls
• All ages