unicef Report: The State of the World's Children 2024
Photo by Luke Pennystan
unicef published their report, The State of the World’s Children 2024, which looks ahead to the year 2050 and asks the question: “How can we best secure a future where the rights of every child are realized – a world where all children survive, thrive and meet their full potential?”
The report examines the potential impact of three long-term global forces that will affect the lives of children over the next 25 years:
· Demographic shifts
· Climate and environmental crises
· Frontier technologies
The report emphasizes the need to filter this exploration through the lens of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This “landmark treaty has transformed millions of children’s lives and remains our compass for navigating the complex challenges we face,” especially as there have been recent concerning trends, especially backsliding in the rights of girls.
Demographic transition:
· By 2050, the global child population is projected to stabilize at around 2.3 billion, similar to today’s levels.
· The share of children in the population will decline in every region, but with varying distribution. “For example, while the share of children is expected to fall below 40% in Africa (from about 50% in the 2000s), it will fall below 19% in East Asia, Western Europe, North America and various high-income countries, including Australia, the Republic of South Korea and Singapore.”
· In countries with fewer children relative to workers, more resources may be able to be freed up to support children and boost economies.
· Countries with higher levels of older persons will need to care for them while maintaining services and policies to children’s healthy development.
Climate and environmental crises:
· The report notes: “Nearly half the world’s children – about 1 billion – live in countries that face high risk of climate and environmental hazards.”
· “Children’s developing bodies are uniquely susceptible to these hazards” (pollution, extreme weather).
· The impacts of air pollution on children’s respiratory health can last a lifetime.
· Rising temperatures increase mosquito populations, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue and Zika.
· Floods contaminate water supplies, leading to waterborne diseases, a major cause of death for children under five.
· Extreme weather impacts food production and access, leading to increased food insecurity.
· Climate-related emergencies, especially those leading to homelessness and/or relocation and loss of schooling, negatively impact children’s mental health.
Frontier technologies:
· The report notes: “Over 95% of people in high-income countries are connected to the internet, compared with barely 26% in low-income countries….This digital exclusion threatens to exacerbate existing inequities, especially in regions with rapidly growing child populations such as those in Africa.”
· “Emerging technologies such as AI and neurotechnology facilitate personalized education, improved health care and other enhancements to children’s lives. Yet without adequate governance, they carry risks related to cognitive liberty, privacy and algorithmic bias. These issues disproportionately affect marginalized groups and children with disabilities, potentially reinforcing systemic discrimination.”
· “Breakthroughs in vaccine development and green technologies offer hope….messenger RNA (mRNA) technology…can speed up the development of novel life-saving vaccines. Meanwhile, renewable energy innovations are rapidly gaining market share and helping expand children’s access to clean energy.”
The report applied three future scenarios:
· ‘Business-as-usual’ assumes a continuation of current trends.
· An accelerated development pathway means faster progress through increased social investment and a sustainability focus.
· A delayed development track entails slower progress due to underinvestment and greater global fragmentation.
The report applied the three future scenarios to the following areas:
· Child survival and life expectancy
· Climate and environmental hazards
· Socioeconomic conditions
· Education
· Gender equality
· Conflict exposure
· Urbanization
The report’s recommendation focus on three areas in particular:
· Preparations for demographic transition
o Invest in early childhood, primary and secondary education; expand teacher training and job creation for youth.
o Expand shock-responsive social protection systems, including paid parental leave and universal child benefits.
o Ensure access to maternal, newborn, child and adolescent healthcare, along with sexual and reproductive health and family planning services.
o Create child-responsive cities with safe and nurturing spaces, infrastructure, and support for marginalized children, including children with disabilities.
o Maintain equitable access to services in rural areas experiencing depopulation.
o Ensure intergenerational equity in aging societies and prioritize children’s rights and public services.
· Investment in climate and environmental adaptation, mitigation and education
o Integrate climate resilience into local planning and infrastructure, including schools, healthcare systems, social supports, and water, sanitation and hygiene services.
o Invest in climate education to equip children to build a sustainable future.
o Ensure children’s needs are addressed in National Adaptation Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions and other climate strategies.
o Invest in renewable energy and promote solutions to cut emissions by 43 % by 2030.
o Implement large-scale ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management practices.
o Strengthen waste management and combat pollution.
· Delivering connectivity and safe design for every child
o Ensure digital equality through infrastructure investments and addressing barriers to full usage.
o Promote digital literacy and skills among children and educators to complement traditional learning.
o Strengthen legislation to protect children’s rights in digital environments, including new types of crimes.
o Adopt ethical guidelines for technology development, focusing on privacy, data protection and accountability.
o Implement rights-based governance for new technologies, with oversight mechanisms to anticipate risks.