Social Protection
Every child deserves a fair chance in life
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A child’s future should never be determined by the circumstances they are born into.
Social protection is one of the most powerful ways to ensure that every child - especially the most vulnerable - have what they need to survive, learn and thrive.
In North Macedonia, progress has been made. But too many children are still growing up without the support they need.
The challenge
Child poverty remains one of the most pressing challenges facing children in North Macedonia and it is both widespread and deeply unequal.
Today, 29.5% of children live below the national poverty line. Children in large families, single-parent households and Roma families are the most affected. Nearly one in two such families live in poverty. This means that for many children, the basic conditions needed to grow and develop are simply not there.
But poverty is not only about income. It is also about opportunity. 38% of children experience multidimensional poverty, facing overlapping deprivations that affect their health, learning, safety and overall development.
Despite the existence of social protection systems, too many families are not receiving support. Only 19% of households with children receive child and family benefits, compared to 88% in the European Union, leaving many without essential income support when they need it most.
These gaps are further deepened by persistent inequalities. Ethnic, geographic and socio-economic disparities continue to limit access to healthcare, early childhood education and social services, reinforcing cycles of exclusion from an early age.
At the same time, the system itself faces constraints. Public spending on social protection remains below EU averages, weakening its ability to reach and support the most vulnerable families effectively.
The result is a system that does not yet fully protect children from poverty and where disadvantage can be passed from one generation to the next.
The solution
Breaking the cycle of child poverty requires more than short-term support. It requires strong, inclusive and child-sensitive social protection systems that work together to support families and protect children at every stage of their lives.
UNICEF works with the Government and partners to strengthen social protection systems, so they are more effective, equitable and responsive to children’s needs.
This includes expanding gender-responsive social benefits that better reflect the realities families face, ensuring that support is adequate, predictable and reaches those who need it most.
It also means going beyond cash benefits. UNICEF supports the development of multi-sectoral service packages that link financial support with access to health, education, nutrition and child protection services. This integrated approach ensures that families are not only supported financially but also connected to the services that enable children to thrive.
Reforms focus on making systems more inclusive and reaching children who are most at risk of being left behind, and ensuring that poverty, disability or discrimination do not limit access to support.
A key part of this work is aligning national efforts with the European Child Guarantee, helping ensure that children at risk of poverty and exclusion have access to essential services - from early childhood education to healthcare, nutrition and adequate living conditions.
By strengthening policies, improving coordination and targeting support more effectively, social protection can become a powerful driver of equity and opportunity for all children.
Ending poverty starts with ending child poverty
When social protection works, children’s lives change.
Families are better able to care for their children. Children are healthier, stay in school and are protected from harm. Opportunities open up - not just for today, but for the future.
By investing in stronger, more inclusive social protection systems, North Macedonia can ensure that: no child grows up in poverty, no family is left without support, and every child has a fair chance in life.
Because ending child poverty is not only possible; it is essential for the country’s future.