More than 1.1 billion children worldwide are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, with countries across Asia among the most vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change, according to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026.
“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and floods,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.
Russell added that half of the world’s children “are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats” shaping their daily lives.
The report found that nearly every child globally is exposed to at least one climate hazard. About 2 billion children face at least two hazards, while 364 million are exposed to four or more. Four million children live in areas facing as many as six overlapping climate threats.
UNICEF identified Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, the Philippines and Viet Nam among countries experiencing some of the highest levels of exposure to multiple climate hazards, including floods, droughts, tropical storms and extreme heat.
The report offers UNICEF’s most detailed assessment yet of how converging climate risks affect children and the essential services they rely on. It examines exposure to riverine and coastal floods, droughts, tropical storms, heatwaves, extreme heat, fires, and sand and dust storms, alongside climate-sensitive threats such as malaria and air pollution.
Rather than occurring in isolation, these hazards increasingly interact and compound one another, creating risks that extend beyond immediate physical danger.
“Across the globe, millions of children are now facing multiple climate threats without the necessary services to cope,” Russell wrote in the report’s foreword.
“More than 1 billion children are exposed to at least three climate hazards,” she added.
South Asia emerged as one of the regions carrying the heaviest burden. UNICEF found that Bangladesh, India and Pakistan consistently ranked among the countries with the highest numbers of children exposed to multiple hazards, largely because of their large child populations.
Myanmar, the Philippines and Viet Nam also recorded significant exposure to climate-related risks.
The report noted that more than 296 million children worldwide live in areas simultaneously exposed to drought, extreme heat and riverine flooding — the most common combination of overlapping climate hazards identified in the study.
Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies and immune systems are still developing, making it harder for them to cope with environmental shocks and stresses.
“Children are disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate hazards, as their bodies are still developing and find it harder to cope with the physical and psychological stress of climate shocks and stresses,” the report said.
The consequences reach far beyond weather events themselves.
Floods and storms can destroy homes, schools and health facilities, while droughts threaten food production and water supplies. Heatwaves increase health risks and disrupt learning. Climate-related disasters also force families from their homes, exposing children to trauma, instability and long-term hardship.
According to the report, at least 242 million students in 85 countries and territories had their schooling disrupted by climate-related hazards in 2024 alone. Between 2016 and 2023, climate hazards triggered 62.1 million internal displacements of children worldwide.
The report also highlighted climate-sensitive threats that are worsening alongside climate change. UNICEF estimates that one billion children are exposed to malaria, while nearly every child globally lives in areas affected by detectable air pollution.
Beyond environmental risks, the agency warned that climate change is placing growing pressure on health systems, education services, water and sanitation infrastructure, child protection mechanisms and social safety nets.
“The climate crisis is threatening children’s fundamental rights to life, survival and development; to protection and social services; and to a safe, clean and healthy environment,” the report said.
UNICEF called on governments to accelerate emissions reductions, strengthen climate adaptation measures and invest in resilient services that protect children from escalating climate impacts. The agency also urged greater efforts to ensure children and young people can participate meaningfully in climate action and decision-making.
Without urgent action, the report warned, climate hazards will continue to grow more frequent and severe, placing even greater strain on communities and public services.
“A better future, for children and for our planet, is still within reach,” Russell wrote. “We must act now.”
