About 333 million children, or 1 in 6, live in extreme poverty, enduring conditions of deprivation that encompass basic needs, dignity, opportunities, and hope, according to a report jointly released by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.
This revelation underscores the immense challenges faced by millions of children and calls for urgent global attention.
DIRE GLOBAL SITUATION FOR MILLIONS OF CHILDREN
While the number of children living under this harsh economic threshold decreased from 383 million to 333 million (a 13% reduction) between 2013 and 2022, the disruptive economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has set back progress by three years. This setback means that 30 million more children are living in extreme poverty than projected without the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
PROGRESS HAMPERED BY COVID-19 AND OTHER CHALLENGES
The report, titled “Global Trends in Child Monetary Poverty According to International Poverty Lines,” highlights the formidable challenge ahead. Despite progress made in the past, it warns that at the current rate of reduction, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of ending extreme child poverty by 2030 may not be attainable. The ongoing compounding crises, including the consequences of COVID-19, conflicts, climate change, and economic shocks, have stymied progress and left millions of children trapped in extreme poverty.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA BEARS HEAVIEST BURDEN
Sub-Saharan Africa bears the heaviest burden of children living in extreme poverty, with 40% of the global total. The region has seen a significant increase over the last decade, jumping from 54.8% in 2013 to 71.1% in 2022. Factors contributing to this alarming rise include rapid population growth, limited social protection measures, and various global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, and climate-related disasters. In contrast, all other regions have witnessed a steady decline in extreme poverty rates, with the exception of the Middle East and North Africa.
CHILDREN’S VULNERABILITY AND THE URGENT CALL FOR ACTION
The report emphasizes that children constitute more than half of the extreme poor population, despite comprising only one-third of the global population. Children are more than twice as likely as adults to live in extremely poor households, facing severe deficiencies in food, sanitation, shelter, healthcare, and education.
The most vulnerable children, particularly those in rural areas and households headed by individuals with limited education, are disproportionately affected by extreme poverty. Conflict-affected regions are also highly susceptible, with an estimated 1 in 3 children in these areas living in extremely poor households.
In response to this critical situation, UNICEF and the World Bank call upon governments and partners to:
- Prioritize children living in extreme poverty, especially in lower-middle-income and low-income countries, as well as fragile contexts.
- Focus on tackling child poverty through initiatives such as expanding social protection coverage, particularly for children in extremely poor households.
- Develop public policy portfolios targeting larger households, those with young children, and rural areas. Early childhood investment is highlighted as an effective strategy to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
- Increase access to universal child benefits, a proven measure to reduce child poverty.
- Design inclusive social protection programs, considering the specific needs of individuals with disabilities and gender-specific requirements.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address child poverty globally and ensure that children have the opportunity to escape extreme poverty through equitable access to education, nutrition, healthcare, social protection, and security.