UNICEF Statement on Georgia’s Child Poverty Data

The latest data describing the problem of extreme child poverty in Georgia dates back to 2017 and is based on UNICEF population Welfare Monitoring Study (WMS), conducted several times between 2009 and 2017 in Georgia.

“The survey is used to measure major socio-economic indicators, education and healthcare, child welfare, social protection, etc. The recommendations based on the study findings inform policy makers to introduce systemic changes for strengthening social protection, health and education systems in the country”, reads the UNICEF statement of 2009.

According to WMS, extreme child poverty rates over 2009-2017 are as follows:

11.5% in 2009;

9.4% in 2011;

6% in 2013; 

2.5% in 2015;

6.8% in 2017.

Extreme poverty entails that Georgian kids have to live with approximately 3 GEL a day.

According to the 2018 National Statistics Office of Georgia, The share of the population below the absolute poverty line is 20.1 %. Of these, 25.5% of persons aged 0 to 17 live in absolute poverty - a figure that virtually coincides with UNICEF data on general poverty in Georgia.

The year 2017 report by the Public Defender mentions the "Emergency Assistance Program for Families with Children in Crisis", which includes 928 families. The Public Defender writes that although the purpose of this program is to meet the urgent needs of the family in a timely manner, the decision to enroll in the program is often delayed for months and even years.

The year 2018 report by the Public Defender states the situation in the country has not changed with regard to child poverty; and that children living and working in the streets are in the most vulnerable situation.

“In 2009 in response to increased child poverty rates, the Government introduced a five-fold increase in the child cash benefits. Currently UNICEF is supporting the Government in carrying out an in-depth impact evaluation of the Targeted Social Assistance and Child Benefits programme. The results of the evaluation will be available by the end of the year”, reads the statement.