World Children's Day

Who is most at risk of child poverty? The world’s youngest children experience higher rates of poverty than older ones. Children with disabilities, children living in rural areas, and indigenous children experience higher rates of poverty than other children. Historic levels of conflict are also driving more children into poverty, with half of all children in fragile and conflict-affected settings living in extreme poverty. Children who are displaced or refugees, though often undercounted, face heightened poverty risk both in transit and upon arrival. Where is child poverty most common? Together, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for almost 9 out of 10 children living in extreme monetary poverty. Such concentration in these two regions is no reason for complacency elsewhere. Substantial levels of child poverty exist around the world, even in countries that are now considered relatively well off. In high-income countries, about 50 million children live in monetary poverty, mean...

While proven solutions exist, three immediate crises threaten to undermine efforts to reduce child poverty. These crises are harming children now – destroying livelihoods, displacing families, disrupting education, and causing hunger and malnutrition. They demand adaptation and strategic, scalable solutions. Without urgent action, we risk consigning millions more children to lives of deprivation. The climate and environmental crises Rising levels of conflict The funding crisis and underinvestment in children

Each year, four out of five children face at least one extreme climate hazard , such as a heatwave, flood or drought. Climate hazards and poverty form a vicious cycle. Children living in poverty are more likely to be exposed to extreme climate hazards, and these climate hazards push families deeper into poverty. To protect all children, responses need to include strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure and services , while better supporting displaced children . Learn more about  The climatic and environmental crises