The births of nearly 230 million children under five – approximately one in three of all such children around the world – have never been registered officially, according to a Unicef report released yesterday.
“Birth registration is more than just a right. It’s how societies first recognise and acknowledge a child’s identity and existence,” said Geeta Rao Gupta, deputy executive director of Unicef. “Birth registration is also a key to guaranteeing that children are not forgotten, denied their rights, or hidden from the progress of their nations.”
The new report, titled ‘Every Child’s Birth Right: Inequities and trends in birth registration’, collected statistical analysis spanning over 61 countries and presented the latest estimates on birth registration.
Globally, in 2012, only around 60% of all babies born were registered at birth. The rates varied significantly across regions, with the lowest levels of birth registration found in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The 10 countries with the lowest birth registration levels are: Somalia (3%), Liberia (4%), Ethiopia (7%), Zambia (14%), Chad (16%), United Republic of Tanzania (16%), Yemen (17%), Guinea-Bissau (24%), Pakistan (27%) and Democratic Republic of Congo (28%).
Even when children are registered, many have no proof of that. In Eastern and Southern Africa, for example, only about half of the registered children have birth certificates.
Globally, one in seven registered children does not possess a birth certificate. In some countries, this is due to prohibitive fees, while in others, birth certificates are not issued and no proof of registration is available to families.
“Birth registration – and a birth certificate – is vital for unlocking a child’s full potential,” said Rao Gupta. “All children are born with enormous potential. But if societies fail to count them, and don’t even recognise that they are there, they are more vulnerable to neglect and abuse. Inevitably, their potential will be severely diminished.”
According to Unicef, unregistered births are a symptom of the inequities and disparities in a society. The most affected by these inequities include children from certain ethnic or religious groups, children living in rural or remote areas, children from poor households or children of uneducated mothers.
“Societies will never be equitable and inclusive until all children are counted,” said Gupta, adding “birth registration has lasting consequences, not only for the child’s well-being, but also for the development of their communities and countries.”
