Violence against children and teenage pregnancy are not only grave violations of children’s rights in Angola, but they also impose substantial and avoidable economic costs on families, communities, and the state. Cornerstone is supporting UNICEF Angola to quantify these costs and strengthen the case for urgent, sustained investment in prevention and response.
Recent national data show that large numbers of children and adolescents in Angola experience physical, sexual, and emotional violence, and that teenage pregnancy remains alarmingly high, particularly among girls in rural areas and poorer households. These realities translate into higher health expenditure, lost educational opportunity, reduced lifetime earnings, and long-term productivity losses – costs that are borne not only by affected children and families, but by society as a whole.
This study supports the moral imperative by making clear that failing to act is not only a violation of children’s rights, but is also economically costly.
Why this study matters
In a context of constrained public resources and competing priorities, investments in child protection and adolescent wellbeing are often under-prioritised. This work provides the robust, Angola-specific evidence needed to demonstrate that preventing violence against children and reducing teenage pregnancy are not only the right things to do, but they are also smart economic investments.
What the analysis shows
The study will estimate the full economic burden associated with:
- Health impacts, including injury, mental health conditions, substance abuse, maternal and child health complications, and premature mortality;
- Education losses, driven by school dropout and reduced educational attainment among survivors of violence and adolescent mothers;
- Productivity and earnings losses across the life course
Using internationally recognised methods and national data, the analysis quantifies how much of Angola’s disease burden, undermined human capital, and lost productivity can be directly attributed to violence against children and teenage pregnancy – and what this costs the country each year.
Turning evidence into action
Beyond estimating costs, the project develops an economic return-on-investment model to show how strategic investments in prevention and response can generate long-term fiscal and social returns. The findings are designed to support:
- Budget and policy advocacy across government sectors;
- Prioritisation of child protection and adolescent health in national development plans;
- Evidence-based dialogue with Ministries of Finance and Planning;
- Stronger coordination across health, education, social welfare, and justice systems.
- A call to invest in children
Investing in prevention, protection, and adolescent wellbeing delivers benefits that far outweigh the costs, improving the lives of the most vulnerable children, strengthening human capital, and supporting inclusive growth in Angola.