Daily Current Affairs : 15-September-2023
In recent years, the world has witnessed a troubling trend: an increasing number of children are falling below the international poverty line. According to a joint report by the World Bank Group and UNICEF, children now constitute a significant portion of the extremely poor population, comprising 52.5% in 2022, up from 47.3% in 2013. This report marks the third assessment by these agencies, with the most recent findings based on a new global poverty line of $2.15, introduced in September 2022.
The Disproportionate Impact on Children
The assessment paints a bleak picture of child poverty, revealing that poverty disproportionately affects children. In 2022, a staggering 15.9% of the world’s child population lived in extremely poor households, compared to just 6.6% of adults. Shockingly, every second person living in extreme poverty is a child, despite children making up only 31% of the global population.
Child Poverty Across the Globe
Child poverty is a global issue, affecting children across the world. In India, 11.5% of children live in extremely poor households, translating to a staggering 52 million Indian children living in poverty. The youngest age group, aged 0-5, experiences the highest poverty rate, with 18.3% (99 million) of children in extreme poverty falling within this category.
The Severity of Child Poverty
The assessment reveals a troubling truth: children not only live further away from the poverty line compared to adults but also endure more severe poverty. The average poverty gap for children younger than 18 years is 5.1%, significantly higher than the 1.9% for adults. This means that children face greater economic hardships, further emphasizing the urgency of addressing child poverty.
Regions Bearing the Brunt
Child poverty is particularly concentrated in two regions: sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Sub-Saharan Africa tops the list with a shocking 40% of children living in poverty, while South Asia follows with 9.7%. Together, these regions are home to a staggering 90% of extremely poor children globally.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
While child poverty had been on a declining trajectory, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this progress. Between 2013 and 2019, nearly 63.3 million children escaped poverty. However, the onset of the pandemic in 2020 saw a reversal of this trend, leading to an increase in child poverty. Although there was a slight reduction in child poverty in 2021, it did not match the pre-pandemic rates.
Had it not been for the pandemic, an estimated 68.4 million children would have been lifted out of extreme poverty between 2013 and 2020. However, due to the pandemic’s disruptions, only 29.2 million children actually experienced such improvement, highlighting the profound impact of COVID-19 on child poverty rates.
Important Points:
- Children now constitute 52.5% of the extremely poor population globally, up from 47.3% in 2013.
- This data is from the third assessment by the World Bank Group and UNICEF, based on a new global poverty line of $2.15 introduced in September 2022.
- Child poverty is disproportionately affecting children, with 15.9% of children living in extremely poor households compared to 6.6% of adults.
- Shockingly, every second person living in extreme poverty is a child, even though children make up only 31% of the global population.
- In India, 11.5% of children live in extreme poverty, which translates to 52 million children in poverty.
- The youngest age group (0-5 years) experiences the highest poverty rate, with 18.3% of children in extreme poverty.
- Children experience more severe poverty, with an average poverty gap of 5.1%, compared to 1.9% for adults.
- Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are the regions most affected, with 90% of extremely poor children residing there.
- Child poverty had been on the decline until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this progress.
- Between 2013 and 2019, nearly 63.3 million children escaped poverty, but in 2020, child poverty increased due to the pandemic.
- In 2021, child poverty began reducing again, though not at the pre-pandemic rate.
- The pandemic disrupted the expected reduction of 68.4 million children in extreme poverty between 2013 and 2020, resulting in only 29.2 million children experiencing improvement.
- Addressing child poverty is crucial, and global leaders and organizations must work together to reverse this trend and ensure a better future for children.
Why In News
According to the World Bank Group and UNICEF, the global population living below the international poverty line ($2.15/ Rs 178.38) is witnessing a concerning trend, with an alarming increase in the number of children falling into this category. This growing vulnerability among children underscores the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to address child poverty and its long-term consequences.
MCQs about Child Poverty Surge
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Which two regions are identified as having the highest concentration of extremely poor children in the world?
A. North America and Europe
B. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
C. East Asia and the Pacific
D. Central America and the Caribbean
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What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on child poverty rates, according to the assessment?
A. It had no impact on child poverty.
B. Child poverty increased in all regions during the pandemic.
C. Child poverty declined significantly during the pandemic.
D. Child poverty initially increased but then began to decrease.
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What was the primary reason for the increase in child poverty in 2020, as indicated in the assessment?
A. Economic growth in all regions
B. Implementation of targeted poverty reduction programs
C. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
D. Improved living conditions for children
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