India, projected to have 350 million children by 2050, must address critical challenges such as extreme climate and environmental hazards to secure their well-being and rights, according to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2024report.
Although India’s child population is expected to decline by 106 million from current levels, the country will still account for 15% of the global child population by mid-century, sharing this responsibility with China, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
The report, titled The Future of Children in a Changing World, was launched in New Delhi on Wednesday by Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative, alongside Suruchi Bhadwal of The Energy Research Institute (TERI) and UNICEF Youth Advocate Kartik Verma. It highlights three global megatrends—demographic shifts, climate crises, and frontier technologies—that are poised to reshape the lives of children by 2050.
The findings emphasize a grim future for children, with dramatically increased exposure to extreme climate and environmental hazards. By the 2050s, nearly eight times more children globally are expected to face extreme heatwaves compared to the 2000s.
The report calls for immediate and sustained action to mitigate the impacts of these global challenges, ensuring a safer and healthier future for India’s youngest generation.