Policy Brief: Fragile States

Fragile states tend to have the greatest levels of income poverty, the highest rates of maternal and child mortality and malnutrition, the lowest levels of school enrolment, and the worst-quality public services. They also tend to be characterised by high levels of violence and insecurity.
State fragility is a major barrier to development. This policy brief outlines the need for a concerted effort to tackle the complex development challenges that these states represent. While state fragility has moved up the international development agenda over the last ten years, Save the Children is calling for more to be done to tackle these complex challenges, including:
– Improved political analysis
– Support for responsive states and equitable development
– Effective service delivery
– Responsible management of natural resources and tax reform
– Greater donor and NGO accountability
– More coherent approaches to security and development