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As we near the end of the first quarter of the current century, a new report from UNICEF looks ahead to the year 2050 and asks how we can best secure a future where the rights of every child are realized in a world where all children survive, thrive and meet their full potential.
The report — The State of the World’s Children 2024 — examines three powerful, long-term global forces that will profoundly impact children’s lives between now and 2050: demographic shifts, the climate and environmental crises, and frontier technologies. By understanding these megatrends and their implications for children, we can better grasp the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
How three megatrends will shape childhood
1. Demographic Transition
The world is experiencing a historic demographic shift, marked by longer lifespans, smaller family sizes, and significant population movements. While the global number of children is projected to remain stable at around 2.3 billion by the 2050s, their share of the population will decline in every global region. The largest child populations will be concentrated in Africa, with Eastern and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa, and South Asia becoming home to most of the world’s children. This demographic transition presents both opportunities and challenges, demanding policy…
