Millions of world’s poorest children left behind despite global progress, new UNICEF report says

Progress for Children: Beyond Averages, UNICEF's final report on the child-related Millennium Development Goals, says that, despite significant achievements, unequal opportunities have left millions of children living in poverty, dying before they turn five, without schooling and suffering chronic malnutrition.

The results, showcased in UNICEF's Progress for Children report, clearly show that despite significant achievements, millions of the world's most vulnerable children have not benefitted from development efforts in the past 15 years.

Disparities within countries have left children from the poorest households twice as likely to die before their fifth birthday and far less likely to achieve minimum reading standards than children from the richest households.

Almost all the households in Viet Nam's urban area have access to improved sanitation facility, while less than half of ethnic minority households enjoy the same condition. Only one-third of ethnic minority groups had access to assisted deliveries with a skilled birth attendants compared to 99% of women in urban areas. Recent data show that about one in five children aged 5-17 years in the country engage in child labour. This situation is more prevalent in Northern Midlands and mountain Area (36.2%) and Central Highlands (25%).

Continued failure to reach these children around the world can have dramatic consequences. At current rates of progress, given projected population growth, it is estimated that:

• 68 million more children under five will die from mostly preventable causes by 2030;
• An estimated 119 million children will still be chronically malnourished in 2030;
• Half a billion people will still be defecating in the open, posing serious risks to children's health in 2030;
• It will take almost 100 years for all girls from sub-Saharan Africa's poorest families to complete their lower secondary education.

The report highlights notable successes since 1990:

• Under-five mortality dropped by more than half, from 90 per 1,000 live births to 43 per 1,000 live births;
• Underweight and chronic malnutrition among children under five decreased by 42 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively;
• Maternal mortality decreased by 45 per cent;
• Some 2.6 billion people gained access to improved drinking water sources.

Here in Viet Nam, major strides have been made: Since 2000, the mortality rate of under five children has been halved (39 per thousand to 20 per thousand live births), the number of stunted children has been reduced by nearly one third (36% to 25%) and the percentage of people who have access to improved drinking water has increased from 78 % to 92%.

The report also highlights the bad news: Progress still eludes the nearly 6 million children who die every year before their fifth birthday, the 289,000 women who die every year while giving birth and the 58 million children who don't go to primary school.

As world leaders prepare to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals, the most disadvantaged children should be at the heart of the new goals and targets, UNICEF said. Better data collection and disaggregation – going beyond averages such as those used to measure the MDGs – can help identify the most vulnerable and excluded children and where they live. Stronger local health, education and social protection systems can help more children to survive and thrive. And smarter investments tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable children can yield short and long-term benefits.

"The MDGs provide lessons that can guide this effort. The onus is on us to apply those lessons and reach those children who have not benefitted from the MDGs. In doing so, these children can live a more prosperous life and build a better future for Viet Nam", said Mr. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil.

Click here to read an Op-Ed of Mr. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil. published on the Viet Nam News (26 June 2015)

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org/vietnam 

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For further information please contact:

• Ms. Laura Ngô-Fontaine, UNICEF Việt Nam, Tel: +84 (0) 438500231 or Mobile: +84 (0) 96 653 9673; E-mail:lngofontaine@unicef.org
• Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hương, UNICEF Việt Nam, Tel: Tel direct line: +84 (0) 438500225 or Mobile: +84 (0) 904154678 Email:ntthuong@unicef.org