Malawi ranks as the world's 11th poorest country, according to the 2006 Human Development Index. Around 52% of the population lives on less than one US dollar a day (actual amount is $ 33 cents = MK44). Over 4 million children across the country live in poverty, which is deep and widespread, characterised by low income, low literacy, food insecurity and high rates of child malnutrition. Almost 50% of children under the age of five are stunted. The growing HIV/AIDS crisis compounds poverty to increase poor people's vulnerability to risks and shocks. Nearly 13% of the country's 7.3 million children under the age of 18 have lost their parents of caregivers, many to HIV/AIDS. More than 50 percent of children who should be in primary school have dropped out of school because of poverty, hunger and cultural barriers.>> More