In a recent report jointly released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank, it was revealed that more than 330 million children worldwide are still living in extreme poverty. This figure serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable children around the globe.
The report also highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that it led to a reduction in extreme poverty for 30 million fewer children than previously estimated. Despite some progress, approximately one in six children continue to live on less than $2.15 per day.
UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized that a combination of crises, including the consequences of COVID-19, conflicts, climate change, and economic instability, has disrupted advancements and forced millions of children into extreme poverty. Russell stated, “Compounding crises, from the impacts of COVID-19, conflict, climate change, and economic shocks, have stalled progress, and left millions of children in extreme poverty.”
These findings pose a significant challenge to the United Nations’ ambitious goal of eradicating extreme child poverty by 2030.
Luis-Felipe Lopez-Calva, the World Bank Global Director for Poverty and Equity, expressed his concern, describing the situation as “intolerable.” He said, “A world where 333 million children live in extreme poverty — deprived not only of basic needs but also dignity, opportunity, or hope — is simply intolerable.”
The report underscored that 40 percent of children in sub-Saharan Africa still live in extreme poverty, the highest percentage globally. Factors such as rapid population growth, the impact of COVID-19, and climate-related disasters have exacerbated extreme child poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, in contrast to other regions, which have seen a steady decline.
In response, the World Bank and UNICEF called on countries to prioritize addressing child poverty and implement various measures, including expanding universal child benefit programs.
Russell from UNICEF emphasized, “We cannot fail these children now,” adding, “Ending child poverty is a policy choice.” The report serves as a reminder of the urgent need to redouble efforts to lift children out of extreme poverty and provide them with a brighter future.
