Uruguay and Costa Rica overhaul child welfare funding

Uruguay's government announced a plan to create a Unified Child and Adolescent Allowance, adding roughly US$1.26 billion in 2027 to existing child‑support programmes. Officials said the new scheme could cut poverty among children under three by about 25%, even though a recent Factum poll showed only 1 % of Uruguayans list child poverty as the country's top problem.

In Costa Rica, the administration approved a cut of ₡40 billion from the budget earmarked for children and an additional ₡30 billion from social‑housing programmes, while allocating ₡70 million for government publicity. Critics argue the cuts will harm vulnerable families just as public funds are redirected toward propaganda.

Both countries are reshaping budget priorities for child welfare amid limited public concern.