A new UNICEF report shines a spotlight on how inequality affects children in high-income countries – and Ireland does not fare well.
The latest Innocenti Report Card reveals that 30 per cent of Irish children, are materially deprived in some respect.
A household is deemed deprived if they cannot afford at least three items from this list of essential items compiled by the EU: Housing, adequate heating, utility bills, a car, a protein meal every second day, the ability to face unexpected expenses and stay out of rent arrears, a holiday, a telephone, a television and a washing machine.
That means 30 per cent of children may not get enough to eat, do not have a secure place to call home or access to clean clothing.
Denmark boasts the lowest inequality among children, while Israel ranked lowest across all domains. In 19 out of 41 countries covered by the data, more than 10 per cent of children live in households with less than half the median income.
Wile inequality in children’s self-reported health symptoms increased in almost all countries between 2002 and 2014, inequality in physical activity and poor diet decreased in the majority of countries.
When children rank their life satisfaction on a scale of 1 – 10 the median score is eight. In every country, girls aged 13 and 15 report lower life satisfaction than boys.
In more positive news, Ireland was one of just four countries that managed to lower education inequality while also allowing fewer children to fall below minimum proficiency standards.
