Beyond the Ordinary

This is where our journey begins.

According to the UNICEF, across the world, about 1 billion children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they lack necessities as basic as nutrition or clean water. Some 150 million additional children have been plunged into multidimensional poverty due to COVID-19.

An estimated 356 million children live in extreme poverty.

Parents too often lack the resources to give their children what they need.

For too many families, access to health care is a luxury, and opportunities for education and employment are severely limited.

The consequences are grave. Worldwide, the poorest children are twice as likely to die in childhood than their wealthier peers. For those growing up in humanitarian crises, the risks of deprivation and exclusion surge. Even in the world’s richest countries, one in seven children still live in poverty. 

Today, one in four children in the European Union are at risk of falling into poverty.

No matter where they are, children who grow up impoverished suffer from poor living standards, develop fewer skills for the workforce, and earn lower wages as adults.

Yet only a limited number of Governments have set the elimination of child poverty as a national priority.

 

CHILD POVERTY FACTS

 

1.1 BILLION CHILDREN / YOUTH WORLDWIDE ARE MULTIDIMENSIONALLY POOR:

WITHOUT ACCESS TO EDUCATION, HEALTH SERVICES, HOUSING, NUTRITION, SANITATION OR WATER.

566 MILLION CHILDREN / YOUTH ARE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY, FORCED TO SURVIVE ON LESS THAN $2.15 A DAY.

CHILDREN / YOUTH ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO LIVE IN POVERTY THAN ADULTS. THEY ARE ALSO MORE VULNERABLE TO ITS EFFECTS.

CHILDREN / YOUTH FROM THE POOREST HOUSEHOLDS DIE AT TWICE THE RATE OF THEIR BETTER-OFF PEERS.

WORLDWIDE CAUSES FOR POVERTY

WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATES IN 2025?

GENERAL FACTS

  • Nearly 22,000 children die each day due to living in extreme poverty.
  • There are 2.2 billion children worldwide, 50% living in extreme poverty,
  • MONACO AND ICELEND– poverty rate are 0%.
  • CHILDREN LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY AROUND THE WORLD SURVIVE ON LESS THAN $2.15 A DAY.

 

Youth Poverty in Michigan, USA

2024-2025

 

CURRENT SITUATION

  • High Rates of Child Poverty: 
  • A significant number of Michigan children are living in households facing financial hardship. According to a September 2024 report by United For ALICE, 47% of children (birth to 17) in Michigan lived in households with income below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold in 2022.
  • ALICE Households: ALICE households earn above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but still struggle to afford essential needs like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
  • Disparities: Child poverty is disproportionately higher among Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native children compared to white and Asian children.
  • Geographic Concentration: Some areas of Michigan, like the Northeast region, face particularly high rates of child poverty and ALICE households. 

   Contributing factors

  • Low wages and unemployment: Many families struggle to earn enough to meet basic needs, even with full-time employment.
  • Lack of affordable childcare: This can hinder parents' ability to work full-time, disproportionately affecting women.
  • High cost of living: Housing, food, and other essentials are increasingly expensive.
  • Systemic issues: Racism and discrimination can limit opportunities for employment and housing. 

    Impact of youth poverty

  • Health and development: Children living in poverty face greater risks for health problems, developmental delays, and lower academic achievement.
  • Mental health: Childhood poverty can lead to depression, anxiety, and shame, potentially having long-lasting effects.
  • Educational challenges: Poverty can impact school readiness, academic performance, and future earning potential. 

   Addressing youth poverty

  • Government programs: Several programs aim to reduce child poverty and support low-income families, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid.
  • Community Initiatives: Organizations like United Way of South Central Michigan (United For ALICE) and Michigan Poverty Law Program work to support low-income families and advocate for policy changes.
  • Michigan Poverty Task Force: This state initiative focuses on developing and implementing strategies to combat poverty and increase economic opportunity.
  • Early childhood investments: Initiatives focused on strengthening childcare and early childhood programs are seen as vital. 

Important Note: 

While there have been some improvements in specific areas like a decline in childhood poverty and early childhood poverty in Michigan, based on 2022 data, the overall issue remains a concern. Some of these improvements may be linked to pandemic-era support.