The International Labour Organisation (ILO), Save the Children, and the United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) have revealed that 1.4 billion children worldwide, under the age of 16, lack essential social protection. This leaves them susceptible to diseases, malnutrition, and poverty. The latest data released by the three organizations emphasizes the urgent need to address this issue and bridge the significant gap in child benefit coverage.
Child benefits are crucial for promoting the long-term well-being of children. They are delivered as cash or tax credits and play a vital role in reducing poverty by providing access to healthcare, nutrition, quality education, and sanitation. Moreover, these benefits support socio-economic development, particularly during times of crisis.
Shockingly, in low-income countries, less than 10 percent of children have access to child benefits, highlighting a stark disparity compared to high-income countries where 84.6 percent of children are covered. The data also reveals that coverage rates for children in climate-vulnerable countries are significantly lower than in those categorized as low risk. It is imperative to ensure that all children are safeguarded by social protection mechanisms, including universal child benefits.
Although there has been a modest global increase in access to child benefits over the past 14 years, from 20 percent in 2009 to 28.1 percent in 2023, progress has been uneven. Coverage rates in low-income countries remain dishearteningly low, hovering around 9 percent. Such regional inequalities are a cause for concern, especially considering the long-lasting impact of poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and unfulfilled potential on children.
Addressing this urgent issue, Save the Children, ILO, and UNICEF have jointly developed the Global Child Benefits Tracker, an online platform aimed at monitoring children’s access to benefits. The platform also serves as a tool to advocate with governments and donors, urging them to take action and close the gaps in child benefit coverage.
The three agencies urge policymakers and donors to work towards achieving universal social protection for all children. By building rights-based, gender-responsive, inclusive, and shock-responsive social protection systems, governments can address inequities and deliver better results for vulnerable children. Additionally, securing sustainable financing for social protection systems is crucial in combating child poverty and ensuring children’s well-being.
As we strive to build inclusive and resilient economies, child benefits are vital for supporting families, providing better nourishment, healthcare, education, and protection. They play a crucial role in realizing children’s rights and empowering them to reach their full potential as adults. Unfortunately, investment in social protection remains low in many countries. By highlighting the scale of global child poverty and showcasing examples of progress, initiatives like the Child Benefits Tracker hope to inspire greater political will and investment in child-sensitive social protection systems.
The launch of the Global Child Benefits Tracker comes at a critical time when recent data reveals that 829 million children worldwide live in households with incomes below $3.65 per day. In light of stalling progress on child poverty reduction, it is essential to take decisive steps towards universal social protection.
By recognizing the urgency of addressing this crisis and bridging the gaps in child benefit coverage, governments and donors can make a substantial difference in the lives of children worldwide. Ensuring their access to social protection is key to protecting them from the devastating impact of poverty and the climate crisis.
The call to action is clear: policymakers and donors must prioritize investment in social protection and work together to create a brighter and more secure future for every child.
