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How are the Philippines’ children?

The Philippines has ratified (pledged to follow) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This means that the Philippines must respect the rights of the child and listen to what children have to say. Are the rights of the child respected in the Philippines?

38.3 million children

100.7 million people live in the Philippines. 38.3 million are children, and 11.3 million of the children are under five years old.

Name and nationality

From the day you are born you have the right to have a name and to be registered as a citizen in your country. 2.3 million children are born every year in the Philippines. 1 out of 10 of them are never registered. There is no documented proof that they exist!

Survive and grow

You have the right to life. The Philippines must do all it can to allow children to survive and develop. 1 out of 34 children in the Philippines (66,000 every year) dies before the age of 5, usually due to causes that could have been prevented.


You have the right to food, clean water, medical care and the right to privacy when consulting an adult about any health problem. 9 out of 10 children in the Philippines have water from improved water sources, and 7 out of 10 have access to adequate sanitation facilities.

A home, clothing, food and security

You have the right to a home, food, clothing, education, health care and security. Almost 1 out of 10 children in the Philippines live in extreme poverty with less than 1.90 US-dollar (96 Philippine Pesos) a day to live on.


You have the right to go to school. Primary and secondary schools should be free for everyone. More than 9 out of 10 children in the Philippines go to school, but many of them leave school too early.

Protection against violence

You have the right to protection against all forms of violence, including neglect, maltreatment and abuse. Only 60 countries have forbidden all forms of corporal punishment for children. Many still allow caning in schools. The Philippines has not forbidden corporal punishment.

Hazardous child labour

You have the right to be protected against both economic exploitation and work that is hazardous to your health or which prevents you from going to school. All work is prohibited for children under 12. Some children are forced into the worst forms of child labour, such as being debt slaves, child soldiers or used for commercial sexual exploitation. An estimated 2.3 million children aged 5-14 in the Philippines have to work.

Your voice must be heard


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