New technology could help 230 million 'ghost' children
Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
Globally, an estimated 230 million children under five are not registered. Plan International has run global birth registration campaigns to help register about 40 million children since 2005, according to the organization.
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Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
The births of more than one in four children worldwide under the age of five have not been recorded, and tackling the issue is part of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
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Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 54% of children remain unregistered by their fifth birthday.
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Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
Globally, birth registration rates tend to be highest among the most affluent 20 percent.
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Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
Children born in urban areas are 1.5 times more likely to be registered than those living in rural areas.
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Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
In some rural villages, birth registration is almost non-existent, according to Plan International.
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Photos: Global birth registration in numbers
An unregistered birth may result in the child being unable to obtain a birth certificate, which can cause a number of issues throughout their lives, such as entering education or receiving healthcare, according to UNICEF. It can also leave children vulnerable to trafficking and prevent them from obtaining a passport.
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