This white paper aims to augment the limited existing literature and research on child savings accounts (CSAs) by providing an overview of the current global landscape of CSAs in their various forms. By describing and briefly assessing some of the reasons why institutions offer CSAs and the range of features that can constitute their design, the authors aim to broaden understanding of these accounts in their various forms, illustrate some global trends in child savings accounts, and argue that CSAs warrant further attention and examination.

The paper provides a description and analysis of common features and purposes of CSAs in their variety of forms and purposes, concludes with a discussion of a few major obstacles faced by existing and potential providers of CSAs and offers a comparison of features of and rationales for various CSA products, programs, and policies in operation around the world in the Appendix.