No social protection for 1.4 billion children globally: ILO
ILO) said on Thursday.
As per the data released by ILO, Save the Children and UNICEF, in low-income countries fewer than 1-in-10 children have access to child benefits, highlighting a significant disparity compared to the coverage enjoyed by children in high-income countries.
The data shows there has been a modest global increase in access to child benefits over a period of 14 years, from 20% in 2009 to 28.1% in 2023. However, the progress has been unequal. In low-income countries, rates of coverage remain staggeringly low, at around 9% compared to 84.6% of children covered in high-income countries.
According to ILO, child benefits are a critical form of social protection, intended to promote the long-term well-being of children. ‘Delivered as cash or tax credits, child benefits are essential for reducing poverty as well as accessing healthcare, nutrition, quality education, water and sanitation,” it said, adding these benefits support socio-economic development, particularly in times of crisis.
The ILO further said that many children are deprived of the basic resources and services they need to escape poverty and are therefore exposed to the long-lasting impact of hunger, malnutrition, and unrealised potential.
“This is a crisis for the almost one billion children who are not covered by benefits, and for the countries in which they live,” Shahra Razavi, director of the social protection department at the ILO said.
“There is an urgent need for
