Britain is declared the most unhappy country for children! - How are young people in the rest of Europe?
Europe, especially the EU, is considered one of the most prosperous regions in the world. However, despite this prosperity, many young people within its borders are facing an increasing decline in well-being, with growing mental health concerns. The Children's Society, a UK-based charity, published a report this year looking at the wellbeing of young people in the UK and how they compare to those in Europe.
The Good Childhood Report 2024 found that, on average, 16.6% of young Europeans are dissatisfied with their lives, which equates to around one in six across the continent. Similarly, Nordic countries Finland and Denmark also ranked well, with only 10.8% and 11.3% respectively reporting low life satisfaction.
On the other hand, Great Britain reported the highest level of low life satisfaction among young people, with 25.2% indicating dissatisfaction, followed closely by Poland (24.4%) and Malta (23.6%). The report used data from various sources to analyze young people's life satisfaction, including the UK Longitudinal Household Survey, the Children's Society's annual survey and the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The UK performs significantly worse than other European countries. While no single factor can explain the overall low ranking when particular areas score so poorly, it does suggest their importance in driving this. The UK also showed the largest gap in life satisfaction between advantaged and disadvantaged young people, which may indicate the impact of socio-economic inequality on children's well-being.
Furthermore, the report found that the UK ranks fourth in food deprivation, with 11% of 15-year-olds skipping meals due to lack of money. Many families in the UK reported difficulty affording holidays, extra-curricular activities for their children and, in some cases, celebrations and special occasions, with 41% saying they could not afford such events.
Additionally, 50% of children reported that lack of money prevented them from participating in activities such as socializing or going on school trips. Beyond financial constraints, children also expressed significant concerns about various life issues, particularly the rising cost of living in the UK. Along with rising prices, children were also concerned about crime, internet safety and environmental issues.
Furthermore, school-related issues have also played a significant role in the decline in child well-being in the UK. In 2024, 14.3% of young people reported being dissatisfied with their school experience. Concerns about school safety, belonging and bullying, of which the UK had the second highest rate in Europe, are some of the main issues.
Amid the decline in mental health among young people in the UK, the country is also facing significant challenges in providing adequate mental health support. According to the report, over 270,000 children are still waiting for further help after an initial referral, with long waiting times a major issue. Although the report focuses on the UK, similar trends are being seen across Europe, with reports showing a decline in well-being among young people in some countries.
According to UNICEF, the percentage of 15-year-olds reporting high life satisfaction fell from about 74% in 2018 to 69% in 2022, in 23 countries for which data is available. According to a UNICEF report, one of the main contributing factors includes high levels of poverty, with around 20 million children in the EU, around one in four, at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Poverty also affects mental health, with children living in poverty more likely to experience stress, anxiety and depression.
In addition, poor nutrition is another critical issue related to poverty, as families often have easier access to cheap and less nutritious foods, which negatively affects children's physical health both in the short and long term. in the long term. Furthermore, the rising costs of food, shelter and heating, along with job losses and health challenges, are pushing even more families in Europe into poverty.
According to Unicef, when it comes to online safety in Europe, children face various risks in digital spaces, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation and sexual exploitation, all of which can seriously harm their well-being. .
The role of government and policy makers
To address growing concerns about children's well-being, experts stress the need for government action. Some key measures he advocates for include ensuring young people have access to early intervention and preventative mental health support, making child wellbeing a national priority, introducing a Child Poverty Act to ensure no the family does not lack basic needs.
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