First Global Girls' Index Finds Health Improved for Girls in 178 of 192 Countries
Plan International Germany and Ruhr University Bochum's IFHV report that girls' mortality more than halved between 2000 and 2023.
Girls around the world are healthier than they were at the turn of the century, according to the first Global Girls' Index, developed by Plan International Germany and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum.
The report covers 192 countries from 2000 to 2023 and about 971 million girls and young women aged 5 to 19. This first edition looks only at health, using five indicators: girls' mortality, anaemia, birth rates among girls aged 10 to 19, maternal mortality and the health impact of sexually transmitted infections.
The headline results
- Health outcomes improved in 178 of 192 countries
- The global average score rose from 45.16 to 51.07 on a 0 to 100 scale
- Girls' mortality more than halved, from nearly 1 death per 800 girls to about 1 per 1,700
- Births among girls aged 10 to 19 fell by about one-third
- Rwanda had the biggest gain, followed by Ethiopia and Burundi
Petra Berner, CEO of Plan International Germany, said the findings show "that funding makes a difference, political commitment can drive change, and progress is possible."
What remains
The progress is uneven. About 290 million girls still live in countries with low or very low scores, and gains in maternal mortality and infection-related health were small. The 2023 average score in sub-Saharan Africa was 30.83, against 71.64 in Europe. The authors also note that data on areas such as mental health and access to care is often missing.
What's next
A broader index covering education, safety and equal opportunities is planned for 2028. For now, the report offers a rare long-run look at how far girls' health has come, and where support is still most needed.
