Georgia
Located in the mountainous Caucasus region, Georgia has a declining population of approximately 3.7 million people.
Like its neighbours, Georgia is in a process of urbanization, and approximately 60% of the country’s population now live in urban areas.
However, the country experiences a significant urban-rural divide: twice as many people live in poverty in rural settings compared to urban environments.
SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Georgia since 1996.
Children are at risk
Georgia is home to over 0.9 million children and young people under the age of 18, accounting for about a quarter of the population. While poverty rates have improved in recent years, more than a fifth of people lives below the national poverty line. However, children experience a higher rate of poverty than the general population, with up to 30% living in poverty. However, the urban-rural disparity means that child poverty rates rise to 50% in rural areas. Children who have been internally displaced suffer many challenges, including educational inequalities
1 in 5
Children live in poverty
Child poverty
More than 20% of Georgia’s population lives below the national poverty line, rising to almost 30% in rural areas.
Further, around a quarter of all children live in households where no parent has full-time employment, yet only 15% Georgian’s population receive social assistance.
Children born into poverty are more likely to experience a wide range of health problems, as well as face social exclusion that further worsen their future prospects.
1 in 20
People are internally displaced
Long-term displacement
Relative to its overall population, Georgia has one of the world’s highest rates of internally displaced people. More than 300,000 people, 6% of the population, are internally displaced, some for more than 20 years.
For this population, there are fewer employment opportunities. Access to services, including healthcare, remains a challenge. These factors impact the rights of internally displaced children as well.
1 in 10
Children are malnourished
Hidden hunger
Unemployment, low income and rising costs of living have resulted in one in 10 children under 5 years old being malnourished. This contributes to the country’s high infant and under-five mortality, as well as many children experiencing conditions such as anemia.
Such nutritional deficiencies have multiple effects on children’s physical and mental development, from an inability to concentrate in school to poor cognitive function, and poor growth and well-being. Their immune systems are often weakened and this results in illness and disease.
Together we can make a difference for children in Georgia
1,510
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
60
Children
Attend our kindergartens
120
Children
Grow up in our care
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60
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
