About The Changing Childhood Project

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The microsite

Cover of the UNICEF report Changing Childhood

The results

Statistics about the UNICEF–Gallup survey

2021 UNICEF-Gallup survey

UNICEF + the Gallup World Poll

The survey

The surveys

About the <0>Changing Childhood</0> Project

On average, a majority of <0>young people</0> believe it’s very important for children’s voices to be heard.

That’s not too surprising. But it turns out that <0>older people</0> tend to agree with them!

<0>Developing countries</0> have the biggest majorities expressing support for political leaders listening to children.

It makes particularly good sense to listen to children’s voices in the developing world, where children make up <0>a larger share</0> of the population.

Among older people, we see the highest support for politicians listening to children in <0>Nigeria…</0>

…and <0>Zimbabwe.</0> In both these countries, half the population are children.

Most children lack the right to vote. But they can make their voices heard in other ways. Who is listening?

How can we encourage politicians to <0>pay more attention</0> to the voices of young people?

Child power

Large majorities of people think <0>childhood has improved</0> in most countries across multiple dimensions over the past generation.

While too many children around the world continue to struggle and are denied their most basic needs, it's undeniable that <0>huge gains</0> have been achieved for most of the world’s children.

Across these different dimensions of childhood, <0>young</0> and <1>older people</1> alike are most convinced of progress in the areas of health…

Progress is also acknowledged across generations — though to a lesser degree — in the quality of education…

<0>Young</0> and <1>old</1> are least convinced of progress on children's mental well-being.

These views broadly line up with reality: Over the past three decades, the world has recorded <0>stunning progress</0> in expanding access to clean water, reducing child malnutrition, providing essential health care, and much more. In 1990, 9% of children never made it to their fifth birthday. By 2020, that share had dropped to less than 4%.

Overall, young people are more likely to acknowledge improvements in children’s lives.

Nostalgia can be a powerful force. But when it comes to childhood, has life changed for the better?

Childhood strides

On average, an overwhelming 86% of young people believe humans can still act to reduce most of the devastating effects of climate change. <0>They have hope!</0>

On average, 73% of young people say their government <0>should take significant action.</0>

Surprisingly, we found no significant generational gap in these views: Older people are equally likely to believe the worst effects of climate change can be stopped and that bold government action is needed.

One area where we did see a generational divide: whether countries should <0>cooperate</0> when it comes to tackling major global challenges.

Here young people are more <0>supportive</0> of national governments working together than on their own.

This is especially true in <0>Indonesia,</0> <1>the United States,</1> <2>Nigeria,</2> <3>Bangladesh</3> and <4>Mali.</4>

We found the strongest support among young people for government action on climate change in <0>poorer countries.</0>

That’s telling, as these countries are least equipped to respond to the climate crisis, and yet are <0>most exposed</0> to its effects.

Devastation wrought by the climate crisis is all around us. Some governments, companies and individuals are ramping up efforts to mitigate its effects. Will it be enough?

What <0>action on climate change</0> would you like to see from your government?

Climate action

Learn more about this aspect of how childhood is changing.

Explore the interactive site to see how young people view our fast-changing world differently

The Changing Childhood Project | UNICEF x Gallup

While attitudes about discrimination against women and against ethnic, racial and religious minorities don’t diverge clearly between generations, they do when it comes to the <0>rights of LGBTQ+ people.</0>

Here we see young people expressing significantly more concern for equal treatment than older people across nearly <0>all surveyed countries</0> - and in the process, driving positive change.

<0>Large generational differences</0> are apparent in a diverse range of countries…

Of all the questions in our poll, this one reveals the <0>biggest difference</0> between the sexes within the young generation.

These findings echo others in our survey: Young women overall express <0>greater concern for equal treatment and for fighting discrimination</0> than young men.

Attitudes toward the rights of LGBTQ+ people have shifted rapidly in many countries over the past three decades. But discrimination persists.

Equality for some

Over the past several decades, many countries have passed laws aimed at enshrining equal rights for all. How have views across generations evolved?

On average, we find strong, similarly-sized majorities of both young and older people supporting <0>equal treatment</0> of each of these groups.

In rich countries, things are different. There, young people express <0>greater concern</0> about equal treatment and discrimination than older folks.

This is true for <0>racial and ethnic minorities,</0>

Eyes on equality

We asked the same question of people around the world.

In <0>certain countries,</0> a significant number of young people propose a voting age below their country's existing minimum.

A desire for a lower minimum voting age is especially common in <0>high-income countries.</0>

It is also the case in <0>Cameroon</0> and <1>Lebanon</1> where the prevailing legal voting age is very high - 20 in <2>Cameroon</2> and 21 in <3>Lebanon.</3>

Many older people also expressed support for a lower minimum voting age.

Young and older generations agree not only that children <0>deserve to have their voices heard.</0> They also agree that children deserve time to enjoy independence before marriage.

Most people in <0>developing countries</0> would prefer a minimum age for marriage above that specified by existing laws — and in many countries, older people are especially supportive.

The largest majorities proposing a higher legal marriage age for women are found in <0>Indonesia</0> and <1>Cameroon</1> — two countries where the legal marriage age for women is especially low.

In most countries around the world, you must be 18 before you can vote. But you can be legally married at a younger age in many countries — especially if you're a woman. Is that too much responsibility without enough freedom?

How can we enable children to <0>have a greater say in their lives?</0>

Free to be young

There, young people are twice as likely to say they expect today's children will end up <0>economically worse off</0> than their parents, versus <1>better off.</1>

Most young people in rich countries have resources and opportunities that are the envy of young people in developing countries.

Yet as they look to their futures, young people in rich countries are <0>weighed down by economic unease.</0>

Again, young people are <0>more positive</0> than older generations.

On average, people over 40 are more likely to say that today’s children will end up <0>economically worse off</0> than their parents.

The <0>upbeat response</0> from young people is a powerful marker of faith in progress.

Comparing one's living standards to those of one's parents is one of the most important benchmarks people use to assess success in life.

By this measure, young people feel <0>pretty good</0> about the prospects of their generation…

This belief in progress among young people is <0>absent</0> from most rich countries.

Most young people feel the world is getting better over time. How do they rate prospects in their own country as their generation prepares for adulthood?

What share do you think say they'll be better off?

Future fortunes

A significant share of <0>young people</0> say they feel most connected with the world.

That's, in part, a reflection of the explosion of the internet – which helps connect people around the globe.

We looked at whether <0>young people</0>—who have never known a world without internet—are <1>more cosmopolitan</1> than their elders.

On average, just 14% of <0>older people</0> say they feel most connected with the world — about half the share of <1>young people.</1>

Looking across all 55 countries, the <0>younger</0> a person is, on average, the <1>more likely</1> s/he is to identify as a <2>global citizen.</2>

This finding is <0>significant</0>: It reflects a <1>profound change</1> in how people think about themselves and with which community they most affiliate.

Unlike older people, today’s <0>15- to 24-year-olds</0> have only ever known a world shaped by <1>globalization</1> and <2>digital connectivity.</2> Changes in the world at large may be driving shifts in identity.

All four of these—<0>living in a city</0>, <1>having post-secondary education</1>, <2>having internet access</2>, and relying on <3>digital info sources</3>—help explain feelings of <4>global citizenship.</4>

Who identifies most as a citizen of the world?

Global citizens

That's, in part, a reflection of the explosion of the internet and a growing sense of connectedness around the globe.

Sure enough, those who use the internet <0>every day</0> are more likely to say they identify as a global citizen than those who never use the internet.

Similarly, those who live <0>in cities or towns</0> are more likely to say they identify as global citizens.

Looking across all 21 countries, people are about 1% less likely to identify as a global citizen with each additional year of age.

This finding is one of the <0>most significant</0> of our project.

It reflects a <0>profound change</0> in how people think about themselves and with which community they most affiliate.

On average, three out of five young people say they think the world is <0>progressing toward a better future.</0>

While optimism is common among young people, its degree varies from place to place.

In some countries, the gulf between the generations is yawning.

Overall, with each additional year of age, people are <0>1% less likely</0> to say the world is becoming a better place.

Factors other than age also shape people's outlook. People who report <0>facing personal financial struggles</0> are less likely to be optimistic about the world. In addition, <1>women are 6% less likely than men</1> to say that the world is becoming a better place.

Are our best days behind us or still to come? See how your take compares.

Global outlook

On average, 75% of those aged <0>65+</0> use primarily traditional sources…

…compared to just 19% of <0>15–24-year-olds</0>

There's a huge contrast between young and older generations in their reliance on <0>digital</0> vs <1>traditional</1> information sources.

The gap is especially wide in generations’ use of social media.

The sharpest divide is in <0>upper-middle-income countries</0> – where 15-24 year-olds are more than seven times more likely to rely on social media platforms for information than people aged 65+.

In countries where there's widespread digital access but a weak web presence for traditional news sources, social media fills the void for young people.

The situation is very different in low-income countries, where many lack internet access. About 21% of young people in these countries say they don’t have a go-to information source at all.

On average, 66% of <0>15–24-year-olds</0> use primarily digital sources…

…compared to just 11% of those aged <0>65+</0>.

Information is everywhere. Where do you find yours?

Go-to sources

That's true everywhere we surveyed, in <0>countries of all regions and income levels.</0>

The <0>Changing Childhood</0> Project

We asked young and older people in <0>55 countries</0>

What is it like to <0>grow up in today’s world?</0>

And how do generations <0>view the world differently?</0>

Dive in and discover the <0>changing nature of childhood</0>

<0>Social media platforms</0> are by far the most common way young people get their information. That doesn't mean they trust what they're scrolling.

That's a lower share than those who trust a lot in <0>news media</0>, <1>scientists</1> and <2>doctors and health care workers</2> — in every source we asked about!

It turns out that most young netizens around the world are discerning consumers of social media.

While young and old trust traditional media sources more...

...confidence in those sources is also relatively low.

Having critical eye on content can help young people separate reality from fiction in our era of misinformation and disinformation.

But distrust comes with a cost. It’s a burden for young people to doubt the veracity of the content they rely on most.

A lack of trust also undermines social cohesion—and collective action to solve problems.

How much do you trust the information you consume?

Is scrolling believing?

<0>Social media platforms</0> are by far the most common way young people get their information. That doesn't necessarily mean they trust what they're scrolling.

That's a lower share than those who trust a lot in <0>traditional national media and international media,</0> <1>doctors and health care workers,</1> and <2>scientists</2> - in every source we asked about!

While <0>young people</0> recognize that not everything they read is true, they generally report higher levels of trust than <1>older people</1> in various sources of information and institutions.

There is just one entity in which young people report <0>significantly lower levels of trust</0> than older people:

By contrast, <0>young people</0> report significantly higher levels of trust than <1>older people</1> in the following information sources:

While <0>young people</0> on average express slightly more trust in social media than <1>older people,</1> there's a twist to this story:

Among people who rely on social media for their information, <0>young people</0> are 24% less likely to report a lot of trust in social media platforms compared to <1>older users.</1>

It turns out that most <0>young netizens</0> around the world are <1>discerning consumers</1> of what they read online.

But the <0>generational split</0> with anxiety isn't the same in <1>all countries…</1>

<0>Young people aged 20-24</0> are more likely to report often feeling anxious, nervous or worried than <1>those aged 15-19.</1>

<0>Those who say they find it difficult to get by financially</0> are more likely to report often feeling anxious, nervous or worried than <1>those who say they're comfortable.</1>

<0>Young people who have completed college</0> are less likely to report feeling anxious, nervous or worried than <1>those who haven't.</1>

There is growing concern about the state of mental health among young people around the world. That concern is clearly justified.

Mental burdens

We asked both young and older people about their <0>mental well-being.</0> Take the quiz to see how they responded.

Mental burdens are more prevalent among some young people than others.

On average, 77% of <0>young people</0> go online every day, our survey found.

That’s far more than <0>those aged 40+,</0> of whom only half are daily netizens.

But not everyone is so connected. There is a large digital divide across the world…

Digital tools and online services can benefit children in a number of ways.

On average, a majority of <0>young people</0> say children benefit a lot from being online in all these areas:

Above all, young people are most likely to report <0>education</0> as a major upside of kids going online.

<0>People over 40</0> also say the internet can benefit children a lot, but are less enthusiastic than young people. That's true regarding:

It's a digital world. How connected is your generation?

Online opportunities

Data privacy is just one worry about internet use.

On average, the most popular answer among <0>young internet users</0> is "somewhat concerned".

But among <0>older internet users</0>, the most popular answer is "very concerned".

Equal shares of <0>young</0> and <1>older</1> generations reported "not being concerned at all".

Views vary greatly across <0>countries…</0>

A majority of <0>young people</0> in nearly all countries surveyed see major risks for children of being online — from talking to strangers, to agreeing to meeting people in person whom they’ve met online, to being bullied or sexually harassed.

Young women are especially likely to perceive risks to life online, especially for children.

The internet has opened innumerable doors for users. But it also brings a host of risks—especially for young people.

Online risks

Overview

The other climate crisis

Under pressure

Where you call home

Share this story

Answer the question above to learn more about the changing nature of childhood.

UNICEF + Gallup asked young + older people in 55 countries how they experience the world today.

We conducted a survey among 15–24 and 40+ year-olds across 21 countries to explore how childhood is changing.

Terms of Use

On average, <0>85% of young people</0> say they've heard of climate change.

On average, only 50% chose the correct definition of climate change: a rise in average world temperatures and more extreme weather events resulting from human activities.

The remainder think climate change refers to seasonal changes in temperature.

It's clear that climate change understanding among young people globally is <0>far from complete.</0>

This is especially true in <0>poorer countries</0> — which have contributed least to the crisis — yet are most exposed to it.

The good news is that many more people are aware of climate change today globally than they were ~15 years ago.

Today, approximately 80% of people are aware of climate change.

There has also been modest growth in climate understanding across all age groups in the same period.

But climate knowledge globally falls far short of what is needed. A failure to understand the climate crisis hampers our ability to respond to it.

Climate education can help strengthen the demand for change.

Climate change poses an unparalleled test for humanity. The burden will fall disproportionately on the young generation. How well do young people understand the challenge?

On average, <0>only 80%</0> of young people say they've heard of climate change.

On average, only 56% chose the correct definition of climate change: a rise in average world temperatures and more extreme weather events resulting from human activities.

It's clear that climate change awareness among young people globally is <0>far from complete.</0>

This is especially true in <0>poorer countries.</0>

A lack of understanding about climate change is not a problem unique to the young.

On average, older people fared no better on these questions.

A failure to comprehend the climate crisis means an inability to respond to it. This is a <0>major constraint</0> to effective global action.

What can be done to <0>improve awareness</0> about climate change around the world?

Climate change poses an unparalleled test for humanity. This test will fall disproportionately on the young generation. How well do young people understand this challenge?

On average, 59% of <0>young people</0> believe children today face more pressure to succeed than their parents did as kids.

This is true in nearly <0>all the countries</0> we surveyed.

But it's not just youth feeling sorry for themselves…

With each new generation, children face unique opportunities to thrive. But they can also feel burdened by expectations.

We found that on average, about equal numbers of <0>young people</0> say they feel most at home in the world or in their city/local area.

But views differ across countries — and country income levels…

What does it mean to identify most with the world? Those who do may have a more <0>global mindset</0>and be <1>less prone to nationalistic thinking.</1>

For example, those who say they would like to move to another country are <0>nearly twice as likely to identify as a global citizen</0> as those who wouldn’t.

Some people feel most connected to their immediate surroundings. For others, links are further afield.