The official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 million people in poverty. Neither the rate nor the number in poverty was significantly different from 2020. Official poverty rates decreased for people under the age of 18 and increased for people 65 years and older, but were not statistically different for 18- to 64-year-olds.

Childhood poverty is a tragic problem affecting millions of children in America. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, over 11 million kids in the United States live below the federal poverty line. That means that these children are growing up without access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare.

For the first time in human history, an entire generation of children globally have had their education disrupted. And yet, this emergency comes on top of an existing learning crisis. Even before the pandemic struck, millions of children were not going to school and not learning.

Natural disasters present a significant and growing threat to the well-being of children. Every year, 175 million children globally are expected to be affected by natural disasters, including floods, cyclones, droughts, heatwaves, severe storms, and earthquakes. Children are particularly vulnerable during natural disasters and experience increased problems regarding their physical health, mental health, and learning after exposure.