Unlocking Opportunities: 206 Million Indian Children Deprived of Education, Health, and Nutrition Despite Progress Against Poverty, Warns UNICEF

NEW DELHI: India has made progress in reducing poverty, but a worrying 206 million children still lack access to basic services like education, healthcare, housing, nutrition, clean water, and sanitation. This information comes from UNICEF’s latest report, *State of the World’s Children 2025: Ending Child Poverty – Our Shared Imperative*.

Out of those 206 million children, around 62 million are missing out on two or more of these essential services. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF’s Representative in India, highlights that India is home to around 460 million children under 18, making it the most populous country and the one with the largest youth population.

McCaffrey noted that while over half of these children have basic services, the investment in their wellbeing has plateaued globally. India, however, has shown significant success in its fight against poverty. A striking 248 million people have moved out of multidimensional poverty in the last decade.

The country’s efforts are visible in various flagship programs that aim to improve children’s lives, including Poshan Abhiyaan for nutrition, Samagra Shiksha for education, and the PM-KISAN scheme for farmers. These initiatives have not only increased investment in children but have also yielded promising results. For instance, studies show improvements in child health and education outcomes directly linked to these programs.

According to recent data, child poverty is not just a statistic; it has real-world implications. A child’s lack of access to basic services can lead to long-term disadvantages in health and education, affecting their future opportunities. This highlights the urgency for continued support and effective policies aimed at children.

As global discussions on child poverty continue, India’s experience provides vital lessons on what works. The goal is clear: to reduce the number of children living in poverty by at least half by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1.2. This ambitious target requires ongoing commitment and innovative solutions to ensure every child has the chance to thrive.

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