ABBA’s 1979 single "Chiquitita" has generated more than $5 million in royalties for UNICEF, according to a UN children’s agency statement released on April 2, 2024. UNICEF spokesperson Dr. Javier Hernandez said the arrangement began when the band pledged all future earnings to the UN at the 1979 Music for UNICEF Concert held at the United Nations General Assembly.
The song’s royalties flow from every purchase and stream on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, feeding directly into UNICEF’s child‑protection budget. This model has turned a one‑time pledge into a steady source of funding for more than four decades.
In Guatemala’s Verapaz region, the money has supported a team of 19 psychologists and 11 social workers who conduct home visits and provide therapy to survivors of abuse. UNICEF Guatemala program director Ana López noted that the team has reached remote communities where language barriers and poverty often keep children out of care.
A 2023 UNICEF report highlighted that the program assisted 1,000 survivors and treated 10,000 children and families that year. One 8‑year‑old girl, Ana, who was abused at home, received counseling and now participates in school activities with a renewed sense of safety, according to the report.
Looking ahead, UNICEF will launch a new outreach initiative next quarter, expanding radio broadcasts in Q’eqchi’ and increasing field‑worker numbers by 25% to broaden prevention messaging. The initiative is slated to begin in June and will be monitored through quarterly impact assessments.
Björn Ulvaeus reflected in 2022 that the song’s legacy exceeded his expectations, calling it "the best legacy anyone could wish for" and noting that the ongoing royalties continue to safeguard children worldwide.