3. Nigeria
Orphan population: 12 million
In Nigeria, almost a million children become orphaned annually, mainly because of AIDS and poverty. Many children who lose parents are left entirely alone to run households. In order to survive, they are forced work in hazardous conditions subjected to abuse. Girls often end up in a cycle of prostitution without any protection from diseases, including HIV. Child trafficking is widespread in the country. Last year, CNN ran the story on how easily children are being sold with impunity in Nigeria.
