Child rights and structural abuse by income level: A global comparative analysis based on World Bank classification

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study is to examine structural forms of child abuse and child rights violations that restrict access to education, health, identity, and protection across countries/economies classified by income level according to the World Bank. Country-level quantitative data from the open databases of the World Bank and UNICEF were used. Countries were categorized in four groups by the World Bank’s income classification. Indicators related to legal identity, education, health, social protection and labour were selected based on their conceptual relevance and global availability. Data from 2014-2023 were aggregated for 216 countries/economies and analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify disparities across income groups. The findings reveal stark inequalities in child rights and well-being outcomes, with children in low and lower-middle income countries/economies facing significant disadvantages. Birth registration was nearly universal in high income countries/economies but averaged only 52.5% in low income settings. Similarly, primary school enrolment and completion rates, as well as immunization coverage for measles, were substantially lower in low income countries/economies, reflecting systemic barriers beyond economic factors. The adolescent fertility rate in low income countries/economies was almost six times that of high income countries/economies. Infant mortality and under-five mortality rates were more than eight and eleven times higher, respectively, in low income countries/ economies compared to high income counterparts, underscoring profound survival inequities. Child labour and violent discipline were significantly more prevalent in low and lower-middle income groups; however, violent discipline persisted even in high income contexts, suggesting the influence of cultural and systemic norms. In conclusion, income inequality is a structural determinant of child rights violations and perpetuates structural child abuse. Access to basic rights such as education, identity, healthy living and protection from abuse are severely violated in low income countries/economies. Policy makers and international support mechanisms must frame these disparities not only as neglect but also as institutionalized abuse, and develop child rights-based policies by taking income inequality into account.