World News | India’s Child-centred Policies Yield Major Gains but Greater Social Sector Investment Needed: UNICEF | LatestLY

India’s child-focused policies are delivering notable improvements in wellbeing and poverty reduction, yet stronger and sustained investment in the social sector is essential to secure lasting results for the country’s 460 million children, according to UNICEF’s latest assessment.

Global snapshot from UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2025

Released on World Children’s Day, UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2025 report warns that more than 400 million children across low- and middle-income countries face deprivations in at least two essential areas—health, nutrition, education, clean water, sanitation, or housing. Despite progress in many regions, millions still lack access to basic services, deepening inequality and constraining opportunities across generations. The youngest children, those with disabilities, and children living through conflict or climate crises face the greatest risks as economic and environmental pressures intensify.

India’s gains: rapid poverty reduction and expanding safety nets

• UNICEF highlights India as a global example of rapid poverty reduction, crediting large-scale social protection and flagship programmes.
• Between 2013–14 and 2022–23, an estimated 248 million people moved out of multidimensional poverty, with the National Multidimensional Poverty Index falling from 29.2% to 11.3%.
• Social protection coverage has expanded sharply, now reaching nearly 940 million people—rising from 19% coverage in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025.

These gains are linked to wide-ranging initiatives—such as Poshan Abhiyaan, Samagra Shiksha, PM-KISAN, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Jal Jeevan Mission—underpinned by India’s growing digital public infrastructure. Together, they have broadened access to nutrition, learning, income support, sanitation, safe drinking water, and financial inclusion.

UNICEF underscores that investing in children delivers the highest social and economic returns. India’s momentum, the agency notes, shows what is possible when political commitment aligns with well-designed programmes and effective delivery at scale. Prioritizing children in decision-making—across health, education, nutrition, and social protection—can accelerate progress toward national goals, including India’s Vision 2047.

Safeguarding fiscal space for children

Experts caution that India must sustain and expand fiscal room for social spending to consolidate and deepen these gains. Public investment in health and education remains pivotal for child wellbeing and future productivity. A forward-looking development strategy, aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, should embed equity, distributive justice, and sustainability—recognizing that children represent the country’s most vital reservoir of human capital. By investing in their health, nutrition, education, and protection today, India can unlock a durable demographic dividend and build a more resilient, inclusive economy.

Progress with gaps: who is still being left behind?

Despite substantial advances, significant challenges persist. UNICEF notes that 206 million children in India still lack access to at least one essential service, and 62 million face deprivations in two or more areas. These barriers limit children’s ability to reach their full potential and risk entrenching intergenerational inequality without continued action.

UNICEF’s call to action

• Put children at the centre of budgeting and policymaking at all levels.
• Strengthen and scale social protection systems that reach the most vulnerable.
• Ensure equitable, high-quality access to healthcare, nutrition, education, water, sanitation, and housing.
• Support economic security for caregivers to stabilize household wellbeing.
• Amplify children’s voices in decisions that shape their futures.

UNICEF emphasizes that the knowledge, tools, and experience to end child poverty already exist. What is required now is sustained resolve—backed by resources, accountability, and leadership—to ensure every child in India has a fair chance to survive, learn, and thrive.