By Deborah Nnamdi
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that corporal punishment remains alarmingly widespread across the globe, posing serious risks to children’s health, development, and well-being.
According to the report, titled “Corporal Punishment of Children: The Public Health Impact,” an estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0 to 18 years are subjected to physical punishment at home each year. The findings show that 17% of those children experience the most severe forms, including being hit on the head, face, or ears, or being struck hard and repeatedly.
The report analyzed data from 58 countries, revealing stark regional disparities in the use of corporal punishment. In homes, rates vary widely: 30% of children in Kazakhstan and 32% in Ukraine were subjected to corporal punishment in the past month, compared with 63% in Serbia, 64% in Sierra Leone, and a staggering 77% in Togo.
The practice is also prevalent in schools, particularly across Africa and Central America, where roughly 70% of children experience corporal punishment during their school years. In contrast, the rate drops to 25% in the Western Pacific region.
Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention, emphasized the overwhelming scientific consensus: corporal punishment does not benefit children’s behavior, development, or well-being.
“There is no evidence that corporal punishment helps children or parents,” said Krug. “But the harm it causes is well-documented. It’s time to end this practice so that children can thrive—both at home and in school.”
Children most at risk include those living with disabilities, those whose parents were also subjected to corporal punishment, and children whose caregivers struggle with mental health issues, substance use, or depression. Broader social factors such as poverty, racism, and discrimination further increase vulnerability.
The WHO warns that beyond visible injuries, corporal punishment can trigger harmful biological effects. These include elevated stress hormone levels, as well as changes to brain structure and function that can impede a child’s long-term development.
While several countries have introduced legal bans on corporal punishment, the WHO stresses that laws alone are not enough. The organization calls for a combination of legal reform, public education, and support for parents, caregivers, and educators to promote positive, non-violent discipline.
The report provides a comprehensive case for treating corporal punishment as a public health issue, advocating for expanded interventions to eliminate this form of violence and protect the rights and future of children worldwide.
