Towards universal and inclusive social protection for children of Madagascar

Highlights

Madagascar ranks 162nd out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), placing it in the lowest human development category1. In terms of income poverty, 74.3% of the population lives on less than US$1.90 per day and it is estimated that the economic crisis related to COVID-19 could push between 475,000 and 2.3 million additional Malagasy below the income poverty line, depending on the intensity of the crisis. The recent Multiple Deprivation Overlap Analysis (MODA) reveals that more than two-thirds (67.6%) of Malagasy children are deprived in at least two dimensions of well-being, and nearly a quarter (23.7%) suffer deprivation in four or more of the seven dimensions.

In response to this situation, this note summarizes the main findings and recommendations of an analysis4 conducted by UNICEF on behalf of the Ministry of Population, Social Protection and Promotion of Women (MPPSPF). The analysis aims to increase the inclusiveness of the National Safety Net Program (PNFSS), focusing on the most vulnerable children.