UNICEF report: Half of global children face three or more climate hazards

UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report finds that nearly one billion children – about 1.1 billion, or half of all children worldwide – are exposed to at least three overlapping climate dangers. The most common trio is drought, extreme heat and heat‑waves, affecting 296 million children, with the largest national totals in Nigeria (74 million), Pakistan (34 million) and India (32 million).

Overall, 2.3 billion children are at risk from at least one climate threat, 2 billion from two, 364 million from four, and smaller numbers face five or more hazards. Sub‑Saharan African nations, parts of South Asia and small island states show the highest per‑capita exposure; in Chad, more than 95 % of children confront three or more risks. UNICEF executive director Kathrin Rasel warned that children are “on the front line of climate change” and urged governments to act, noting that the concentration of risks creates a vicious cycle of food insecurity, displacement and loss of education.

The report provides detailed data to help governments prepare for worsening climate impacts and highlights the unequal vulnerability of children based on access to health, water, food and protective services.