Too little, too late.

Early childhood is a key stage for physical and cognitive development, and experiences in that period have an enormous, long-term impact on both individuals and societies. Yet in the majority of low- and middle-income settings, as well as in some high-income countries, public expenditure allocated to children is simply too little, too late. That is the key finding of new research produced by Social Policy researchers at the University of York in collaboration with the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre and the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University. One of the research team, John Hudson, summarises the report’s key messages here.

Too Little, Too Late constitutes the first comparative mapping of how and when public expenditure on children is managed across the child’s life course in low- and middle-income countries, alongside profiles of high-income settings.  Examining practices in 84 countries across the world representing approximately 58 per cent of children and young people worldwide, our report concludes that most countries fail to make the early childhood investments that protect their rights, ensure their well-being, and secure them a better future. 

We computed age-spending profiles for each country that mapped public spending on children by age and by the type of spending. The profiles highlight how little public expenditure makes its way to children – particularly the youngest children worldwide. 

In terms of the too little, the most recent estimates of child specific public spending we were able to calculate show that, up to the age of 18, on average:

• Low-income countries spend just US$11,000 (PPP) per child if they attend preschool and complete compulsory school, and just US$2,300 per child capita overall;
• Low-middle-income countries spend US$18,000 per child if they attend preschool and complete compulsory school, and  US$13,600 per child capita overall; 
• Upper-middle-income countries spend US$43,000 per child when attending both school and preschool, and US$35,300 per child overall; 
• High-income countries spend US$195,000 per child when attending both school and preschool. 

And in terms of the too late, despite long-standing arguments that spending on early years is vital for child development and brings strong social returns, the most recent estimates show that, up to the age of 18, on average the share of child spending reserved for the under 6s is only:

• 6.7% in low-income countries;
• 8.2% in low-middle-income countries; 
• 11.5% in upper-middle-income countries; and,
• much higher, but still below an equal share by age, at 27% in high-income countries.

In a global context where (i) no country in the world has eradicated child poverty, (ii) fewer than one in two children worldwide receive any form of social protection, and (iii) in the poorest countries – where more than two in every five children live in extreme poverty – more money is spent managing debt than paying for social welfare, we believe this underinvestment in children, especially the youngest children, requires urgent attention. Indeed, we argue that addressing the too little, too late problem of public spending on children is key if inequalities both within and between countries are to be addressed.

The timing, type and scope of public interventions for children needs careful management and a coherent, coordinated approach – especially where needs are high and resources are limited. Based on the evidence, including our mapping and analysis of the 84 countries in this study, our report recommends that countries:

• spend more and spend it earlier in the life course, including through creative use of additional resources;
• redesign the child policy portfolio through incremental adjustments to current provision;
• make benefits universal so they protect all children.

John Hudson is Professor of Social Policy at the University of York and is the Academic Director of The York Policy Engine.