Birth Registration Increases, but 150 Million Children Still ‘Invisible’
December 10, 2024
Progress has been made in birth registration globally, but 150 million children under the age of 5 remain unregistered, according to a new report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The report, “Every Child’s Birth Right: Progress in Birth Registration,” shows that the global birth registration rate has increased from 58% in 2000 to 75% in 2022. However, significant disparities remain between regions and countries.
“Birth registration is a fundamental right for every child,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “It is the foundation for accessing essential services, such as healthcare, education, and social protection. Without a birth certificate, children are at increased risk of exclusion, exploitation, and abuse.”
The report found that the highest rates of birth registration are in Europe and Central Asia (94%) and the Americas (84%). In contrast, the lowest rates are in sub-Saharan Africa (43%) and South Asia (59%).
In sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of birth registration is particularly acute in rural areas and among vulnerable populations, such as refugees and internally displaced people. In some countries, less than half of children under the age of 5 are registered.
The report highlights several factors that contribute to low birth registration rates, including:
- Lack of knowledge about the importance of birth registration
- Lack of access to registration services
- Cultural and religious barriers
- High costs associated with registration
UNICEF is working with governments and partners to address these challenges. The organization is providing technical support to improve birth registration systems and is raising awareness about the importance of birth registration.
“Every child deserves to be counted,” said Fore. “Birth registration is the first step towards ensuring that every child has a fair chance to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.”
Recommendations
The report recommends several actions to increase birth registration rates, including:
- Strengthening birth registration systems
- Making birth registration free and accessible
- Raising awareness about the importance of birth registration
- Addressing cultural and religious barriers
- Providing support to vulnerable populations
By investing in birth registration, we can help to ensure that every child has a name, a nationality, and a future.
Birth registration increases, but 150 million children still ‘invisible’
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