A new Unicef's Innocenti Report Card on child well-being in rich countries has just been published using data from 2009 and 2010. Among other statistics it shows the UK's overall position in the league tables at 16th out of 29 countries -- an improvement of four places compared with the earlier report using 2001-3 data. Netherlands at the top and Romania at the bottom. Eleven countries were excluded on grounds of lack of data.
On relative child 'poverty' rates (50% of median incomes), the UK is 14th out of 29 countries, Finland with the lowest rate and Romania the worst.
On the measure of the poverty gap (distance between poverty line and the median incomes of those below the line) the UK is again 14th out of 29. Luxembourg with the smallest gap and Spain with the largest.
Various other measures, including child deprivation rates, low family affluence, infant mortality, low birth rates, etc.are shown.
A cautionary note is added: "the measurement and comparison of child well-being levels across different countries is an imperfect exercise with significant gaps and limitations."
The Report can be downloaded at: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/rc11_eng.pdf
Paul Ashton
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