Climate change has caused nearly half of young people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to reconsider having children, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to a global survey conducted on behalf of UNICEF, 44% of young people in the region are hesitant to start a family because of the effects of climate change. This is the world’s highest level of anxiety registered by far. Sub-Saharan African youth came in second, with a rate of 43%.
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Young people in both regions reported numerous climate shocks that impacted their income and access to food and water.
In the MENA, 31% of respondents said climate change had caused them to eat less food, and 34% said their family’s source of income had been impacted.
Meanwhile, 35% of young people in the region said it is becoming increasingly difficult to get clean water, and 70% said they are thinking about moving to another country or city because of the effects of climate change.
