Too often, public resources don’t reach the children most in need. In some places, policymakers fail to allocate the funds necessary for children to grow and learn in a safe, healthy environment. In others, public finances may not be well managed, reducing the quality or accessibility of health care, education and other services.
Global evidence shows that public spending on children is a smart investment – for children, their communities and entire countries. When governments invest in children, health outcomes improve, incomes rise, economies grow and societies become more cohesive. Despite these benefits, public spending on health and education has stagnated in many parts of the world, and may be insufficient to meet the needs of children.