The “exemplary” economic model followed in the European Union, that of the concentration of the produced wealth, has led the situation to the sad point where 25% of the children living in the European Union sink into poverty and social exclusion.
In Greece, things are even worse. In particular, Greece ranks fourth worst in the entire European Union, with 28.1% of people under the age of 18 at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
At the same time, we are in the throes of a global housing crisis, which is hitting children extremely hard. About 1.6 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing, according to a United Nations report, with experts estimating this will rise to 3 billion by 2030.
Meanwhile, a new UNICEF report reveals the extreme challenges facing children living in EU member states, including rising poverty, worsening mental health, online sexual abuse and exposure to pollution.
2024 is yet another crucial year for children in the European Union, with their rights in need of a huge improvement as they have been circumvented by those responsible for the worsening inequalities that the capitalist system breeds.
The European Union, under the close watch of a newly elected Parliament, has launched a new five-year strategic agenda to be implemented by a new College of Commissioners, in the hope that this too will not be a blank slate.
Although the European Union is one of the most prosperous regions in the world, the rights of too many children within its borders are threatened or have ceased to exist.
Here are some key takeaways from the report (“Rising poverty, deteriorating mental health, online sexual abuse and exposure to pollution among challenges faced by millions of children across the EU – UNICEF“).
1. Child poverty
Almost 1 in 4 children in the EU are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. This is an outrageous number: 20 million children in 27 EU Member States.
Although from 2015-19 the number of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the European Union fell from 22.2 million to 19.1 million, as of 2019, the number increased by almost a million to 20.7 million in 2022.
2. Mental health
It is estimated that over 11 million children and young people aged 19 and under (13%) in the European Union suffer from a mental health condition. Rates increase with age from about 2% of children under 5 to about 19% of 15- to 19-year-olds.
Suicide is the second most common cause of death (after road traffic accidents) among young people aged 15 to 19 in the European Union, accounting for around 1 in 6 deaths.
3. The environment
Children are more vulnerable to environmental damage that can affect both their cognitive and physical development. The report highlights that, in 2019, 472 deaths of children and youth under the age of 20 were caused by air pollution.
It is estimated that almost one in 20 children in the European Union are still exposed to high levels of pesticide pollution, amounting to more than 380,000 children.
4. Digital technologies
While digital technologies can be beneficial to a child’s education and development, children must be protected from online dangers and harm. The report found that in 2021 around 1/3 of 10-year-olds living in the European Union could not tell if a website was trustworthy.
In addition, lack of access to the Internet and computers at home can also put children at a disadvantage. In 2018, around 1 in 20 children (5%) aged 15 living in the most vulnerable households had no access to the internet at home, compared to less than 1% in the most advantaged households.
UNICEF’s recommendations to the European Union:
- Strengthening children’s rights. It is vital that institutions and decision-makers ensure that children remain high on the political agenda 2024-29.
- Increasing investment for children in the European Union. Measures to promote children’s rights should be included in current and future EU funding opportunities and instruments supporting the triple transition (digital, green and social).
- Strengthening policies for children. The impact on children’s rights and future generations should be systematically considered in all future EU policy-making and legislation. This should also include their meaningful and inclusive participation.
