Photo: UNICEF
A report from UNICEF and Fiij's Children's Ministry says nearly 30 percent of children in the country are living in multidimensional poverty.
The report, titled 'Multidimensional Child Poverty in Fiji', is the first report of its kind for the country.
The report said poverty is more than a lack of money, especially for a child.
"Children experience poverty when they do not get the nutrition, water, shelter, education, or health care they need to survive and thrive," it said.
"No matter where they are, children who grow up in poverty suffer from poor living standards, develop fewer skills for the workforce, and earn lower wages as adults."
The data used was collected by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, through the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2021. The survey draws on a sample of 7983 children younger than 18 years old, living in 3366 households residing in rural and urban areas.
"At the national level, 28.2 percent of children in Fiji are multidimensionally deprived, suffering from at least three deprivations simultaneously," the report said.
For those aged up to 23 months, the figure is 63.2 percent, and it gets lower as the age group increases.
"Nearly two thirds of children living in rural areas (65.6 percent) suffer from multidimensional deprivation compared to 51.7 per cent of children living in urban areas.
"Approximately half of the children across all age groups are deprived in housing, ranging from 57.9 percent for children aged 0-23 months to 49 per cent for children aged 14-17 years.
"Water deprivation affects more than four out of ten children, up to 49.8 percent for children aged 0-23 months."
The report recommends raising awareness and education on nutrition, health, and hygiene, especially among families most at risk, as well as prioritising the most vulnerable children.
UNICEF Pacific's deputy representative Roshni Basu said the organisation is committed to urgently act on these findings, alongside the government of Fiji and oher partners.
"When a child is unable to access nutritious food, clean water, or a safe place to sleep, their future is stolen before it even begins," she said.
Fijian Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said poverty is not just about how much a family earns.
"A child's reality is shaped by many more dimensions," she said.
"The true measure of our nation's progress is in how our children grow up - healthy, safe, educated, and able to pursue their dreams."
