UNICEF DATA - Child Statistics

Undernourished and Overlooked: A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women

UNICEF’s new publication, “Undernourished and Overlooked” is the first-ever report to focus on the situation of nutrition of women and girls. Learn more on women’s nutrition trends around the world, and how investing in their nutrition can improve global health outcomes.

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A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women

“Undernourished and Overlooked” is the first-ever report to focus on the situation of nutrition of women and girls, and sheds light on the barriers they face in accessing nutritious diets, utilizing essential nutrition services and benefitting from positive care practices. Explore the latest data and evidence on the status, trends and inequities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and women, and how investing in their nutrition can improve global outcomes.

Bridging the Gender Digital Divide

Most youth in low- and middle-income countries are not connected to the internet, have limited digital skills, and do not own a mobile phone. Adolescent girls and young women are especially disadvantaged: 9 out of 10 adolescent girls and young women are offline in low-income countries. Our report brings to light a pressing, multi-sectoral issue that requires urgent action from governments, the private sector, international organisations and civil society alike.

We believe that consistent, credible data about children’s situations are critical to the improvement of their lives – and indispensable to realizing the rights of every child.

64 million

children of primary school age remain out of school

1 in 3

children under five live in severe food poverty

17.5 million

babies will be stillborn between now and 2030, if current trends remain constant

2.3 billion

people still lack a basic hand washing facility at home

12 million

girls were married in childhood in 2022

Latest statistics

Publications

A Profile of Child Marriage in South Asia

Around 1 in 4 young women in South Asia were first married or in union before their 18th birthday. The region is home to around 290 million child brides, accounting for 45% of the global total. Acceleration is required to meet the target of eliminating child marriage by 2030; compared to the last decade, the rate of decline would need to be seven times faster. Read our report to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges the region faces.

Publications

Upholding the rights of migrant and displaced children with disabilities

Children with disabilities and children on the move are among the most marginalized young populations around the globe. But what happens when these two identities intersect? Our report highlights their unique challenges, including limited access to healthcare, education, and other essential services. Learn more on recommendations to improve their well-being and explore our in-depth analysis including key data and global trends.

Publications

Mobilizing boys and men against female genital mutilation

Over 200 million women worldwide have undergone the traumatic experience of FGM. Despite this alarming number, an increasing number of men in practicing countries are now standing up against this harmful practice. In fact, our report reveals that, in most cases, mothers’ decisions are more likely to be respected than fathers’ decisions on this matter. Read more about the pivotal role that men can play in the decision-making process when it comes to FGM.

Publications

Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2020

New data show severe setbacks in reducing maternal deaths in almost all regions; an estimated 2,800 women die every day from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Our report presents maternal mortality trends globally and calls for renewed efforts to address the causes, including improving access to quality maternal health services and addressing underlying social, economic, and cultural factors of maternal mortality.

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