A new UNICEF analysis has revealed that approximately 466 million children—equivalent to one in five worldwide—now live in regions experiencing at least double the number of extremely hot days compared to six decades ago. This stark warning underscores the rapid rise in days exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and highlights the severe implications for child health and well-being.

In Canada, children are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, with the frequency of heatwaves having doubled over the past 60 years. The report compares data from the 1960s with averages from 2020 to 2024, illustrating a troubling trend of rising temperatures globally, with significant variations across different regions.

“Rising temperatures, wildfire smoke, pollution, unsafe water, and extreme weather events are disrupting children’s lives both in Canada and globally,” said Sevaun Palvetzian, President and CEO of UNICEF Canada. “We urgently need to prioritize climate policies that uphold every child’s right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Every climate action or funding decision in Canada must ensure that the impact on children is central.”

The analysis reveals that in 16 countries, children now experience more than a month of additional extremely hot days compared to the 1960s. For instance, South Sudan children endure an average of 165 extremely hot days annually, up from 110 days, while Paraguay has seen an increase from 36 to 71 days.

Globally, West and Central Africa face the highest exposure to extreme heat, with 123 million children—39 percent of the region’s youth—experiencing temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius for more than one-third of the year. Countries such as Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Sudan report extreme heat days averaging from 195 to 212 annually. Latin America and the Caribbean are also seeing nearly 48 million children living in areas with twice the number of extreme heat days.

The health risks of extreme heat are particularly severe for children and pregnant women. Exposure can lead to complications such as gestational chronic diseases, adverse birth outcomes, malnutrition, and heat-related illnesses. Additionally, it increases vulnerability to diseases like malaria and dengue and negatively impacts neurodevelopment, mental health, and overall well-being.

The report notes that extreme heat is not only becoming more frequent but also more severe and prolonged. In over 100 countries, children are experiencing double the number of heatwaves compared to 60 years ago. In the United States, 36 million children face twice as many heatwaves, with 5.7 million encountering three times as many.

Climate-related hazards compound these effects, impacting food and water security, infrastructure, and essential services such as education. The severity of these impacts is further influenced by underlying socioeconomic inequities.

As Member State Parties to the Paris Agreement prepare to submit new national climate plans—Nationally Defined Contributions (NDC 3.0)—UNICEF urges leaders, governments, and the private sector to seize this opportunity to implement urgent and effective climate actions. Recommendations include reducing emissions, adapting social services to climate changes, and empowering children through education and environmental advocacy.

“Children are not little adults. Their bodies are more vulnerable to extreme heat, heating up faster and cooling down more slowly,” warned UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Governments must act now to control rising temperatures, and the current drafting of national climate action plans presents a unique chance to secure a sustainable future for today’s children and generations to come.”

As global leaders and policymakers finalize their climate action strategies, the urgent need for bold and decisive measures to protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of society remains paramount.