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Street children around the world: the numbers are incredible! Can you guess how many children live on the streets?
Street children are poor or homeless children living on the streets of a city, town or village. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), street children refer to all boys and girls under the age of 18 who use the streets (including vacant dwellings and wastelands) as their home or source of livelihood, and who do not receive adequate protection in their lives. or guardianship. This population faces exploitation, abuse and, in extreme cases, murder by "clean-up teams", often hired by local businesses or the police.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) once claimed that there are as many as 100 million street children in the world, but the accuracy of this number is questionable.
Statistics and distribution of street children
Street children exist in most well-known cities in the world. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in large cities in economically unstable or developing countries such as Africa, South America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
However, there is no clear answer as to the exact count of street children, with estimates ranging from tens to 100 million, and the numbers appear to be increasing.
To formulate more reliable estimates, a statistical model based on the number of street children and related social indicators in 184 countries has been developed. According to this model, the number of street children worldwide is estimated to be between 10 million and 15 million.
Although this model provides a statistically reliable estimate, it is still limited by the definition of "street children," national estimates reported by countries, and data collected based on national development levels. This leaves us still confused as to the exact number of street children.
The history of street children
As early as 1848, Britain's Lord Ashley mentioned that there were as many as 30,000 "naked, filthy, lawless and abandoned children" around London. This problem has not improved over time and is treated as a humanitarian issue in many English-language novels.
Causes of street children
Street children appear for a variety of reasons but are usually related to family, economic or social breakdown. This includes poverty, breakdown of families and communities, political unrest, acculturation, abuse, and more.
In some African countries, it is not uncommon for children to be forced to leave their families because of suspicions of being witches or "honor crimes."
Situation in different countries
Africa
Kenya
UNICEF is working with NGOs to tackle the problem of street children in Kenya. Rapid urbanization has led to rampant urban poverty, leaving tens of thousands of children on the streets.
South Africa
According to the South African Children's Act, street children are considered a group in need of care and protection, and South Africa's response to this problem has gradually improved.
Asia
India
The number of street children in India is huge. There are generally more than one million street children in major cities. Most of them are boys, while girls face more abuse and exploitation.
Europe
Romania
In Romania, the formation of the phenomenon of street children is closely related to the historical background. Decades of socioeconomic changes have caused many children to live on the streets.
When the pace of social progress is so different, have you ever considered what the future will be like for these children?
