Dec 11, (V7N) - UNICEF's report highlights that despite progress in birth registration, approximately 150 million children worldwide still lack legal identity, leaving them vulnerable to risks like statelessness and exploitation. While 77% of children under five have had their births registered in the past five years—an improvement of two percentage points since 2019—many still face obstacles to obtaining official birth certificates. These certificates are crucial for asserting identity, nationality, and ensuring access to services such as healthcare, education, and protection from exploitation. 

The majority of unregistered children live in sub-Saharan Africa, where only 51% of children are registered. Barriers to registration include lack of awareness, financial constraints, insufficient political support, and discrimination. UNICEF urges more efforts to address these challenges to protect children's rights globally.

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