Fiji is one of seven Pacific Island countries that exceeds the international benchmark of 1% of Gross Domestic Product on early childhood development (ECD). This information was shared by Jonathan Veitch, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative for the Pacific Island Countries, during a panel discussion focused on investing in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
UNICEF recently conducted an ECD expenditure analysis across seven Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Kiribati. The results indicated that the ECD spending in these nations surpasses the internationally recommended minimum, with the majority of funding being sourced domestically and donor contributions being minimal.
Despite the increased spending, Veitch noted that it has not necessarily led to improved outcomes for children, particularly in areas such as nutrition and learning. He suggested that the high cost of doing business in the Pacific may mean that the 1% of GDP benchmark does not adequately address the needs of the region, implying a potential need for additional financing.
Veitch also pointed out that current spending might not be utilized efficiently, particularly if different sectors do not collaborate effectively. He emphasized that an improved cross-sectoral approach could significantly enhance the efficiency of spending in early childhood development.