Millions of African Children Lack Birth Registration
UNICEF reports weak data systems and fragmented government planning leave many children in Africa without official birth records.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Africa
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UNICEF's 2024 assessment estimates 90 million children under five in sub-Saharan Africa are unregistered, with coverage at 51 percent across the region. The agency's 2025 policy paper identifies weak connectivity, unreliable data and fragmented ministerial planning as key obstacles.
Why it matters
Missing birth records can block proof of age and parentage, access to education and healthcare, and applications for identity documents. Without faster progress, UNICEF projects more than 100 million children could remain unregistered after 2030.
UNICEF's 2024 assessment estimates 90 million unregistered children under five across sub-Saharan Africa, with regional coverage ranging from 88 percent in Southern Africa to 41 percent in Eastern and Middle Africa. Its 2025 analysis does not yet specify how many of those gaps digital pilots can close.
The players
UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund is the UN agency focused on child welfare, which produced the assessment and policy paper on birth registration in Africa.
Egypt
Egypt agreed to support Djibouti's electronic census and has provided experience and equipment, including 1,400 tablets, to the project.
Djibouti
Djibouti received Egyptian support for its electronic census, which it completed and which is part of efforts to modernize its civil registration.
The details
UNICEF says civil registration should be linked to health, education and social-protection services, with registration offered at health facilities and through mobile outreach to remote communities. Egypt agreed in 2023 to support Djibouti's electronic census, which Djibouti has since completed, while Botswana has reached universal birth registration.
Timeline
2023: Egypt agreed to support Djibouti's electronic census.
2024: UNICEF estimated 90 million children unregistered.
2025: UNICEF policy paper identified obstacles to expanding civil registration.
September 2026: UNICEF study found disasters can destroy birth records.
After 2030: Projected over 100 million unregistered children without faster progress.
Big Picture
UNICEF's 2024 sub-Saharan Africa birth registration assessment set the baseline of 90 million unregistered children that this 2025 policy analysis builds on. The projection of more than 100 million unregistered children after 2030 shows that the gap is widening rather than closing without changes to fragmented ministerial planning.
Travelers and families in affected regions should carry copies of birth certificates and identity documents when moving between countries. Those planning long stays should check local civil registration requirements before departure.
The takeaway
Reliable birth records are the foundation for access to schooling, healthcare and identity documents, so improving registration systems is a practical priority for governments and development partners alike.
Further reading
For broader context on the region, explore Africa travel destinations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by جريدة الأهرام.
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Should governments prioritize registering every newborn child, even if it costs more?
