Investing in Adolescents Can Break Cycles of Poverty and Inequity

Strategic Insights -

Investing in the world's 1.2 billion adolescents aged 10-19 can lead to significant gains in breaking entrenched cycles of poverty and inequity, according to a new report released by UNICEF. The report highlights that strong investments in the last two decades have resulted in enormous gains for young children up to the age of 10, with a 33 percent drop in the global under-five mortality rate. However, the same period saw a devastating 81,000 adolescent deaths due to violence in Brazil, emphasizing the need to focus on this critical age group.

Key Takeaways:

  • The global under-five mortality rate has decreased by 33 percent, indicating significant gains in young children's health outcomes.
  • In Brazil, the lives of 26,000 children under one were saved between 1998 and 2008, but 81,000 adolescents aged 15-19 were murdered in the same period, highlighting the need to address adolescent vulnerability.
  • Adolescence is a critical period for consolidation of gains made in early childhood, and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake calls for investment in education, training, and employment programs.
  • The vast majority of today's adolescents (88 percent) live in developing countries, and face a range of dangers, including injuries, early pregnancy and childbirth, exploitation, and violent conflict.
  • Emerging trends like climate change and labor market shifts undermine adolescents' well-being and employment opportunities, particularly in poor countries.
  • Targeted investments in education and training, as well as expanded opportunities for youth participation in national forums, are crucial for protecting adolescents' rights and promoting their welfare.

Statistics:

  • 1.2 billion adolescents aged 10-19 worldwide (UNICEF report)
  • 33 percent drop in global under-five mortality rate (UNICEF report)
  • 26,000 children's lives saved in Brazil between 1998 and 2008 (UNICEF report)
  • 81,000 adolescent deaths due to violence in Brazil between 1998 and 2008 (UNICEF report)
  • 88 percent of today's adolescents living in developing countries (UNICEF report)
  • 400,000 adolescent deaths due to injuries each year (UNICEF report)
  • 70 million adolescents out of school (UNICEF report)

Sources:

  • UNICEF State of the World's Children 2011 Report
  • UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake's foreword in the report
  • Various statistics and data cited in the report.