A Statistical Update on Birth Registration in Africa

October 21, 2022

The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 placed birth registration firmly on the international development agenda. It includes a dedicated target (16.9) under Goal 16 – namely, to provide legal identity for all, including birth registration, by 2030. Complementing this is target 17.9, which calls for support in building the statistical capacity needed for strong national civil registration systems.  In accordance with the SDGs, UNICEF seeks to fulfil the promise of universal birth registration, ensuring a legal identity for every child by 2030.

This publication presents the latest available data on the number of unregistered children living in Africa today. It also assesses progress over time and presents evidence for the amount of effort that will be needed in Africa to achieve universal birth registration by 2030.

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