Almost 60 per cent of child-focused SDGs are off track in Latin America and the Caribbean

PANAMA CITY, 20 November 2023

Most child-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators off-pace in Latin America and Caribbean, warns UNICEF

At the current pace, the region will not achieve 58 per cent of the indicator targets related to children’s rights and well-being, according to UNICEF analysis of available data. In the past few decades, Latin America and Caribbean has had one of the slowest rates of progress towards the child-focused SDGs, second only to the Middle East and North Africa.

While Latin America and Caribbean is a top performer in some indicators – including recording the biggest decline in child deaths in the last 30 years – the region lags far behind in others. For example, the region has the second highest estimated learning poverty rate – 10-year-olds who are unable to read a simple text – and the second highest adolescent birth rate after sub-Saharan Africa. The region’s child marriage rate has remained unchanged for three decades. And two in three of the region’s children experience violent discipline at home.

“As of now, most child-related SDGs won’t be met by 2030 in Latin America and Caribbean. While this region has been a global success story in reducing child deaths, it is failing children and adolescents on far too many other fronts. It’s unacceptable that most of the region’s 10-year-olds can’t read a simple text and that millions of girls are brides and mothers. For countries to make progress, they must realize the rights of all children, without discrimination. If we leave children behind, the whole region falls behind with them,” said Garry Conille, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The region was already lagging behind on the SDGs before COVID-19. But the pandemic and prolonged lockdowns took a heavy human toll on the region, widening existing gaps in children’s well-being. Slow economic growth, inflation and other global crises have set the Latin America and the Caribbean further off course. The region’s progress is also weighed down by persisting inequalities that disproportionately affect indigenous children, afro-descendant children, and children with disabilities.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean, we can reach those children currently being left behind. In the last few decades, this region has proven it can be a world leader in increasing child survival. We need to harness that same level of political will, expertise and resources to ensure boys and girls not only survive but grow up to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens,” said Conille.

To accelerate progress on child-related SDG indicators in Latin America and the Caribbean, UNICEF reiterates its call on countries to:

1. Build political commitment at the national level. Governments should significantly increase and safeguard social spending in areas such as health, education, and social protection.
2. Prioritize knowledge and evidence for children. Enhance country-led data generation, monitoring, and use, in collaboration with partners.
3. Make financing systems work to accelerate progress. Explore innovative national and international financing options that prioritize results, emphasize equity and effectiveness, and promote multisectoral approaches.

Notes to editors:

In Latin America and the Caribbean:

1. The number of under-five deaths dropped by 76 per cent from 650,000 in 1990 to 155,000 in 2021, according to United Nations estimates.
2. As many as four out of five 10-year-olds are unable to read a simple text, according to World Bank estimates.
3. The adolescent birth rate is 53 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 years, according to United Nations estimates.
4. One in five girls – approximately 58 million of them – are married or in a union by age 18, according to available survey data.
5. Two in three children experience violent discipline at home according to UNICEF estimates.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location (urban/rural).
• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate.
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: unicef.org

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.