African children will account for more than 40 percent of the world's poorest people in 2030, almost double the current share, unless more is done to improve education and healthcare, a UK-based think tank said on Thursday.

One in five children in sub-Saharan Africa, or nearly 148 million, will be living on less than $1.90 a day in 2030, the deadline set by the world leaders to eliminate extreme poverty, the Overseas Development Institute said in a report.

"This prospect of 40 percent plus of world poverty in 2030 being African children is one that I think should focus the minds of the international community," said Kevin Watkins, ODI executive director and co-author of the report.