Missing Persons Reports Decline in 2025, Though Long-Term Cases Rise
Spain's 2025 missing persons report shows a 5% decline in total cases, though authorities remain focused on the high volume of repeat disappearances among teenagers and a rising number of unresolved long-term investigations.
The Ministry of the Interior’s annual report on missing persons shows a complex situation. While the total number of reports dropped slightly last year, police resources remain heavily focused on large cities and cases involving minors.
According to the National Center for Missing Persons (CNDES), there were 25,086 reports in 2025. This is a 5% decrease from the previous year, and the system maintains a resolution rate of over 90%.
The Canary Islands recorded 3,304 cases, ranking fourth in the country behind Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia. A major concern highlighted in the report is repeat disappearances, particularly among teenagers. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 account for nearly 60% of all reports; in Madrid, this age group makes up 70.4% of the region's total cases.
Aina Calvo, Secretary of State for Security, emphasized that search protocols are effective, with more than half of all cases resolved within 72 hours. However, the Ministry distinguishes between these routine cases and long-term investigations, which are often more difficult to solve. The recent discovery of Francisca Cadenas after years of searching was highlighted as proof of the government’s ongoing commitment to investigating criminal or forced disappearances, which totaled 8,477 cases.
The typical person reported missing in 2025 was a Spanish male. Among foreign nationals, those from Morocco were the most frequently reported. While the number of individuals reported missing fell by 1.1% to 16,024, the number of active, unresolved cases rose by 2.3% to 6,874. Since record-keeping began, the system has handled over 346,000 reports, maintaining an overall success rate of 95.7%.