Did You Know?
learn more ›Many orphans worldwide have lost their parents due to armed conflict or disease, such as AIDS. In some countries, however, children are being increasingly abandoned at an alarming rate due to poverty, restrictive population control policies, disabilities or perceived disabilities, and cultural traditions that value boys more than girls.
- 143 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents.
- At least 16.2 million children worldwide have lost both parents.
- 16 million children were newly orphaned in 2003.
