Context:

• UNICEF has released “The State of the World’s Children (SoWC) Report 2025”, titled "Ending Child Poverty – Our Shared Imperative".

Key Points:

• The report assesses multidimensional poverty by measuring deprivations in six categories.
• Basis: This report focuses extensively on multidimensional poverty among children, meaning it examines not only income poverty but also deprivation in essential services like education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and housing.
• It assesses multidimensional poverty using data from 130+ low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Six dimensions of deprivation:

1. Education: Lack of access to quality education

2. Health: Lack of essential health services

3. Housing: Lack of safe and adequate housing

4. Nutrition: Undernutrition or lack of essential nutrients

5. Sanitation: Lack of basic sanitation facilities

6. Water: Lack of access to clean drinking water

• Time: This report is released every year on World Children’s Day (20 November).

Major Global Findings :

• Multidimensional Poverty : In LMICs, more than 1 in 5 children (over 400 million globally) face severe deprivation in at least two key areas essential for their health and development.
• Extreme Monetary Poverty : More than 19% of children globally live in extreme monetary poverty, meaning they survive on less than US$3 per day.
• Most Widespread Deprivation : Sanitation is the most widespread severe deprivation among children, increasing exposure to diseases.
• Geographical Concentration : Highest rates of child poverty are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• High-risk Groups : The most vulnerable groups include youngest children, children with disabilities, and children living in conflict or climate-crisis-affected regions.

India’s Situation

Appreciable Progress :

• UNICEF has praised India’s rapid progress in poverty reduction.
• As per the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), 248 million people (including children) exited multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23, placing India on track to achieve SDG 1.2 before 2030.

Social Security Coverage :

• Coverage increased from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, supporting this progress.

Major Schemes :

India’s flagship schemes that have significantly improved child welfare include:

• Poshan Abhiyaan
• Samagra Shiksha
• PM-KISAN
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme
• Swachh Bharat Mission
• Jal Jeevan Mission

Remaining Deprivations :

• Despite progress, 206 million children in India are still deprived of at least one essential service.
• 62 million children face deprivation in two or more dimensions.

UNICEF’s Recommendations :

The report calls on governments and global partners to prioritize children's rights and take five key actions to eradicate child poverty:

1. Make it a national priority:

Treat ending child poverty as a national goal and integrate child rights across all policies, budgets, and development agendas.

2. Expand social protection:

Broaden inclusive social protection systems to support vulnerable families.

3. Ensure equal access to public services:

Guarantee equitable access to essential public services—education, healthcare, nutrition, sanitation, and housing.

4. Support caregivers:

Promote decent work, minimum wages, and expand social protection for parents and caregivers.

5. Increase children's participation:

Strengthen children's and youth participation in decision-making processes.

UNICEF

• Full Name: United Nations Children’s Fund
• Established: 11 December 1946
• Headquarters: New York City, USA
• Purpose: Initially created to provide emergency food and healthcare to children affected by World War II. Today, it works to protect children’s rights and ensure long-term well-being globally.
• UNICEF has been operational in India since 1949.