UNICEF has warned that rising poverty continues to trap 20 per cent of the world’s children in extreme deprivation, with many surviving on less than $3 a day.
According to a new report released on Thursday, nearly 90 per cent of affected children live in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The agency noted that even in high-income nations, 23 per cent of children endure significantly lower living standards compared to their peers.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said governments have the power to reverse child poverty, stressing that effective policies can “unlock a world of possibilities for children.”
The report draws on data from more than 130 low and middle-income countries and assesses deprivation across six key areas: education, health, nutrition, housing, sanitation and water. It finds that 118 million children lack access to at least three of these essential needs.
UNICEF said poverty undermines children’s development, leading to weaker learning outcomes, reduced job opportunities, and higher risks of depression, anxiety and poor health.
The agency warned that ongoing cuts to foreign aid may push millions deeper into poverty, projecting that six million more children could be out of school by next year.
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