More than one billion children globally are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, according to a recent report by UNICEF. As climate change intensifies droughts, hurricanes, and heatwaves, the agency warns that children face a disproportionate risk, with nearly half of the world’s 2.4 billion children living in areas susceptible to multiple, simultaneous environmental shocks.
Which children face the highest climate risks?
Children in sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia, and small island states face the most severe threats, according to Tom Slaymaker, a report author at UNICEF. While the sheer number of children at risk is highest in populous nations like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, the percentage of children impacted is highest in the Sahel region. In Chad, for example, more than 95% of children are exposed to the triple threat of drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves.
The combination of drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves is the most frequent climate hazard for children globally, affecting 296 million minors.
How do climate hazards create a cycle of vulnerability?
Climate disasters often trigger a “vicious cycle” in fragile states, according to UNICEF. Droughts reduce crop yields, leading to food insecurity. These dry conditions then increase fire risks and leave land more susceptible to flooding. When floods hit, they destroy critical infrastructure like schools and homes, forcing families to flee. This displacement leaves children more susceptible to diseases such as malaria and cholera while simultaneously stripping them of access to education, which remains a primary tool for long-term resilience.
Are children in wealthier countries safer?
Children are not equally protected from climate risks regardless of a nation’s wealth, according to Tom Slaymaker. While some areas in the Northern Hemisphere, such as parts of Scandinavia, show lower exposure to the eight most common climate hazards—including coastal flooding and heatwaves—they are not immune to all threats. Other hazards, such as glacial melt and permafrost degradation, fall outside the scope of this specific UNICEF report but represent significant, unmeasured risks to children in developed regions.
Comparison of hazard exposure levels
| Number of hazards | Number of children affected |
|---|---|
| At least one | 2.3 billion |
| At least two | 2 billion |
| At least three | 1.1 billion |
What can governments do to protect children?
Governments must prioritize the integration of climate risk data into national planning to address the “vulnerability” gap, according to UNICEF. Access to basic services—clean water, nutrition, healthcare, and education—remains the most effective way to buffer children against environmental shocks. Improving infrastructure in high-risk zones is essential, as the frequency of multi-hazard events has risen significantly over the past two decades.
Monitor local environmental health reports to understand which specific hazards—such as heat stress or flood risk—are most likely to impact your community’s infrastructure in the coming decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are children more vulnerable than adults?
Children have unique physiological and developmental needs. Climate-related disruptions to food, water, and schooling have long-term impacts on their growth and future opportunities, making them more sensitive to environmental changes.
What are the eight hazards identified by UNICEF?
The report tracks coastal flooding, river flooding, drought, tropical storms, heatwaves, extreme heat (days over 35°C), wildfires, and sandstorms.
Is there any place on Earth completely safe from climate change?
While some regions currently face fewer of the eight primary hazards, climate change is a global phenomenon. Scientists emphasize that no region is entirely shielded from the secondary effects of a warming planet.
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