As rich countries reduce the money they give for global development, early childhood programs are at risk especially in the poorest countries. These programs, which support young children through education, health care and childcare, already get only a small share of aid. Now, with less funding, many governments may not be able to protect these vital services.
Early Years Matters
A child’s early years are key to the development of their brain and body. Investing early brings the highest returns children grow up healthier, learn better in school and earn more as adults.
But most governments spend very little during these years. A report called ‘Too Little, Too Late’ shows that in poor countries, only around 7% of total spending on children goes to kids under six. In richer countries, that number is much higher, around 27%.
The report also uses something called the Early Childhood Parity Score (ECPS), which checks if funding matches the number of young children in a country. A fair score would be 1.0. But in most countries, the score is around 0.5, meaning young children only get half as much as they should based on their population.
Some Countries are Leading the Way
Even though many low-income countries don’t have much money, a few are making early childhood a bigger priority than expected. Countries like Benin, Nepal and Niger are spending more of their child budgets on early years than their income level suggests. This shows strong political commitment and smart policymaking.
On the flip side, some wealthier countries like Malaysia, Costa Rica and even the United States aren’t doing as well. Their lower spending isn’t because of lack of money, it’s often due to weak policies or low political focus on young children.
Functions of the World Bank and Other Multilateral Lending Institutions
There is hope through global organizations like the World Bank. In recent years, the Bank has expanded its investment in early childhood education (ECE). As more countries improve access to primary school, they also begin to realize the need to invest earlier, in pre-school and other early programs.
According to data from the World Bank, early childhood education projects tend to achieve greater success compared to other types of education initiatives. These efforts are especially important in low-income countries where governments want to do more but can’t afford it.
Recommendations for the Way Forward
To make sure young children don’t fall through the cracks, here are some simple steps that governments and donors can take:
- Give early childhood a bigger place in the budget, Even a small increase can make a big difference in children’s futures.
- Use international aid to boost local efforts, Donors should support countries that are trying hard and encourage others to follow.
- Invest in more than just education include health, nutrition, parental leave, and child benefits to support families fully.
- Learn from countries that are doing well, Study what works in places like Benin or Nepal and apply those lessons elsewhere.
Even with shrinking aid, smart choices and strong partnerships can keep early childhood investment alive and help give every child a better start in life.
(Source- ‘Center for Global Development’ Blog)
