UNICEF: One in Two Children Worldwide Faces Three or More Climate Hazards

UNICEF Warns Over 1 Billion Children Face Multiple Climate Threats Worldwide

More than one billion children around the world are living in areas exposed to multiple climate-related hazards, according to a new report by UNICEF. The findings highlight how climate change is increasingly affecting children’s health, safety and future prospects, particularly in vulnerable regions across Africa and South Asia.

The report examined where the world’s estimated 2.4 billion children live and assessed their exposure to eight major climate hazards: coastal flooding, river flooding, drought, tropical storms, heatwaves, extreme heat, wildfires and sandstorms.

One Billion Children Face Three Or More Climate Hazards

UNICEF found that approximately 1.1 billion children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate threats. Nearly all children globally—around 2.3 billion—face at least one climate-related hazard, while two billion are exposed to two or more risks.

Among the most widespread combinations is exposure to drought, extreme heat exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and recurring heatwaves. This trio of hazards affects nearly 296 million children worldwide, including tens of millions in countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan and India.

The report also found that around 364 million children face four or more climate threats, while a smaller group is exposed to as many as seven overlapping hazards.

Children On The Frontlines Of Climate Change

“Children are at the forefront of the impact of climate change,” said Catherine Russell, stressing that young people are among the most vulnerable to environmental disruptions despite contributing the least to global emissions.

According to the report, climate-related events can affect children’s health, education, nutrition and access to clean water. Repeated exposure to extreme weather also increases the risk of displacement, poverty and long-term developmental challenges.

Africa And South Asia Emerge As Major Climate Hotspots

The study identifies large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia as regions where climate risks are most concentrated. Countries with large child populations—including India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh—account for some of the highest numbers of children exposed to multiple hazards.

In terms of vulnerability as a proportion of the child population, several countries in Africa’s Sahel region rank among the most affected.

One example highlighted in the report is Chad, where more than 95 per cent of children are exposed to at least three climate hazards. The country is already grappling with humanitarian challenges linked to food insecurity, limited water access and inadequate infrastructure.

Island Nations Face Unique Risks

UNICEF also drew attention to the vulnerability of 39 island nations, where children face heightened risks from climate-related disasters. Limited freshwater supplies, dependence on imported goods and restricted options for relocation following hurricanes or coastal flooding make these countries particularly susceptible to environmental shocks.

No Region Is Completely Immune

While exposure levels vary across the globe, the report concludes that no country is entirely shielded from climate change.

According to report co-author Tom Slaymaker, some of the lowest exposure levels are found in parts of Scandinavia and other regions of the Northern Hemisphere. However, he noted that these areas still face climate-related challenges not fully captured in the study, including glacier melt and thawing permafrost.

The findings underscore how climate change is becoming an increasingly defining factor in childhood experiences worldwide, with the greatest burden falling on countries that often have the fewest resources to adapt and respond.