The impact of the war in the Middle East on children in monetarily poor households
How economic shocks from the Strait of Hormuz closure risk reversing progress on child poverty.
About
The escalation of conflict in the Middle East is first and foremost a human tragedy, with devastating consequences for civilians and serious implications for regional stability and global peace, as violations of international humanitarian and human rights law continue. While the gravest impacts are borne by children and families in and around areas affected by the conflict, the crisis is also generating economic shocks that extend far beyond the region, with significant consequences for children's rights worldwide.
These economic effects risk reversing recent progress on child poverty, and exposing millions of additional children to deprivation, including in countries geographically distant from the conflict.
This brief explores the three main economic channels through which the crisis affects children: prices and household purchasing power; service delivery and access constraints; and fiscal pressure and reduced policy space. The analysis provides quantitative estimates on the most visible area of impact: the reduction in purchasing power.
Up to 23.4 million additional children could fall into monetary poverty by the end of 2026.
