According to some estimates, child mortality in the Stone Age might have been as high as 40 per cent. From our earliest ancestors through to the information age, nothing wrenches our heartstrings like child-sized shrouds and coffins. Death is inevitable, but the demise of a child is one of the hardest things we might ever need to accept.
Today, thankfully, child mortality is the lowest it has ever been. It is likely to decrease yet more. Globally, over the past three decades, the number of children dying before their fifth birthday has more than halved, from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5.2 million in 2019. Our progress in child health has been astounding, with mortality rates now as low as 0.2 per cent in some affluent nations. This is undoubtedly a great accomplishment, if somewhat unevenly distributed. But we have not made such correspondingly great strides in the mental health of young people. In some nations the rate of mental health problems among children even appears to have incr
Abu Dhabi s early-years drive to ensure brighter future for children everywhere
A new project will bring together experts to look at how children can be given the best start in life, ahead of an event in November
Two-thirds of the world’s poorest countries reduced their first post-Covid education budget. EPA
HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. ( Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs )
A global initiative to support children around the world was launched by the UAE on Monday. These are Syrian children in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. Getty Images