UNICEF has issued a stern warning concerning the alarming trajectory of child poverty in Argentina, cautioning that without a change in direction, the country’s child poverty rate could surge to 70 percent in the first quarter of this year.
The report, unveiled on Tuesday, underscores the profound impact of elevated inflation, declining economic growth, and austerity measures on Argentina’s most vulnerable segment.
UNICEF notes that the poverty rate has rapidly escalated from 57 percent at the conclusion of last year, with extreme poverty anticipated to reach 34 percent, up from 19.4 percent. This concerning trend underscores the pressing need for increased expenditure to protect the welfare of children.
Sebastian Waisgrais, UNICEF’s Social Inclusion and Monitoring Specialist, expressed serious apprehensions about the potential consequences of persisting with current policies.
“If current trends persist, the prevalence of poverty in children and adolescents in the first quarter of 2024 would reach levels around 70 percent,” he cautioned, stressing the significant implications for both immediate and long-term well-being.
The stark statistics highlight the urgency of addressing the root causes of poverty and implementing measures to alleviate its devastating impact on Argentina’s youth.
Argentina’s new right-wing libertarian President, Javier Milei, has advocated for austerity measures to tackle the country’s deep fiscal deficit and stabilize the economy.
However, these policies have incurred a steep price, exacerbating poverty levels and hindering economic growth.
Milei, who assumed office in December, confronts the formidable task of containing inflation, which has surged to over 250 percent, severely undermining citizens’ purchasing power and exacerbating poverty.
Despite the imperative to tackle fiscal constraints, UNICEF has called for a prioritization of children’s welfare in policymaking.
Waisgrais underscored the importance of safeguarding children and adolescents amid the country’s fiscal challenges.
“Fully cognizant of the fiscal limitations facing the country, UNICEF urges that children and adolescents be given priority,” he remarked, urging increased investment in initiatives and welfare programs aimed at shielding vulnerable youth.
The report shines a spotlight on the critical need for targeted interventions to prevent a further escalation of poverty among Argentina’s children.
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