Measuring What Matters for Child Well-being and Policies

This comprehensive report tackles the critical gap in how we measure and understand children's lives, arguing that current data systems fail to capture what truly matters for their well-being. The analysis moves beyond traditional economic metrics to advocate for a more holistic framework that includes children's relationships, safety, and mental health. It provides a clear-eyed assessment of where national and international data collection currently falls short, identifying specific vulnerabilities that often go unmeasured. The book serves as a crucial call to action for policymakers to build evidence that genuinely reflects the realities of childhood.

What makes this work distinctive is its practical focus on turning data into effective policy, offering a roadmap for countries to improve their child-focused measurement systems. It will resonate most with government analysts, researchers, and advocates who are ready to move beyond simply identifying problems to implementing tangible solutions. The strength of this publication lies in its ability to connect robust statistical analysis with real-world policy implications, making the case that better measurement is the foundation for smarter investments in future generations. This is essential reading for anyone committed to creating policies that are not just well-intentioned but are truly informed by what children need to thrive.