State of the World's Children Report 2008

UNICEF released their State of the World's Children Report earlier this year. They should have tables for each country available soon and if I remember I will let you know or post it. In the meantime, here are some interesting stats and numbers:

1. Under-five mortality rankings. Note that of the worst 10, all are in sub-Saharan Africa except for one (Afghanistan). Indeed 38 of the 39 worst under-5 countries, are sub-Saharan African countries! All of the best countries, except for one (Singapore) are European.

• Worst (Highest rates) 10: Sierra Leone, Angola, Afghanistan, Niger, Liberia, Mali, Chad Equatorial Guinea, DRCongo, Burkina Faso
• Best Worst (Lowest rates) 10: Sweden, Singapore, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Andorra, Spain, Slovenia, Norway, Monaco

2. Nutrition. For Sierra Leone

• Percentage of infants with low birthweight in 2006: 24
• Percentage of under-5's (2000-2006) suffering from: being underweight-30 (8% severe)

3. Health. For Sierra Leone

• Orphans (children aged 0-17) due to all causes, 2005: ~340,000 (31,000 to AIDS)

4. Education. For Sierra Leone.

• Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate 2000-2006: male-60%, female-37%

5. Demographic Info: For Sierra Leone.

• Population (thousands) 2006-- under 18: 2827, under 5: 999
• Life Expectancy: In 1970-35 years, In 2006-42
• Total fertility rate (2006): 6.5
• Percentage of population urbanized (2006): 41

6. Child Protection: For Sierra Leone.

• Percentage of child labor (5-14 years) 1999-2006: Total--48
• Percentage of children living with disability 1999-2006: 23

For a more succinct version and to learn what some of the terminology means, visit the page below--

SoWCR in 20 Questions (and Answers):

http://www.unicef.org/sowc08/youth/informed.php