January 2025 – UNICEF has published the latest edition of latest edition of the Global Outlook, a series of reports produced each year by UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, which look to the key trends affecting children and young people over the following 12 months and beyond.
The report for 2025 emphasizes that the world is facing a new era of crisis for children, influenced by climate change, conflict, and economic instability. Rising geopolitical tensions and competition among nations hinder the implementation of solutions. To uphold children’s rights and well-being, action is needed to rethink and strengthen systems. Systems approaches, such as disaster preparedness frameworks, emergency adaptation education systems, and inclusive healthcare systems, are essential for building resilience and addressing global challenges.
Five trends are described that have the greatest potential to impact children in 2025: geopolitics, economics, environment and climate change, technology, and global governance.