About 150 million Asian children between the ages of 5 and 14 have to work. Half of them have to work full time. In sum, the world s underweight, stunted, and micronutrient-deficient children and mothers are concentrated in Asia. Also, the incidence of enrollment of girls in schools is low, particularly in South Asia. 1 but improvements could be made at low cost, with political will and in concerted partnership.
Judicious investments can improve the health, nutrition, education, and environment of children.
Yet, within the region, shares of national budgets allocated to basic education and children s health and nutrition are often low. The children of the poor are especially vulnerable and are often denied access to essential health care, adequate nutrition, and basic education. 2 Productivity and prosperity depend largely on how effectively the children of the region are prepared for the future. If the region is to sustain economic momentum, it has to ensure that young children survive, grow, and develop to their maximum potential. The child s ability to be educated and subsequent productivity as an adult can be seriously compromised by poor health and nutrition, and a lack of a safe and caring environment during infancy and early childhood.