UK Ranked Lowest in Children’s Well-Being Across Europe: Report Reveals Growing Concerns
A new report by The Children’s Society has found that the UK ranks lowest in Europe for children’s well-being, raising alarm about the growing mental health crisis among young people. According to the 2024 Good Childhood Report, 25.2% of children in the UK reported being dissatisfied with their lives, the highest rate in Europe. This compares to just 6.7% in the Netherlands, where life satisfaction among youth is the highest.
The report, which examines children’s life satisfaction across Europe, revealed that over one in six children across the continent are unhappy with their lives. While Nordic countries like Finland and Denmark also reported lower levels of dissatisfaction (10.8% and 11.3%, respectively), the UK saw a significant decline in well-being, with socio-economic inequalities and financial struggles cited as key drivers.
Jack O’Neill, policy and public affairs manager at The Children’s Society, said, “The findings from The Good Childhood Report 2024 are alarming and illustrate an unacceptable picture of children’s well-being in the UK. Young people here are clearly experiencing lower life satisfaction compared to their peers across Europe.”
The UK also showed the largest gap in life satisfaction between advantaged and disadvantaged youth. Children from lower-income families were more likely to report dissatisfaction, and the country ranked fourth highest in food deprivation, with 11% of 15-year-olds skipping meals due to financial difficulties. Many families also reported being unable to afford extracurricular activities, holidays, or even basic celebrations, with 41% struggling to fund such events.
O’Neill pointed out that economic concerns are filtering down to young people, with two in five children worried about rising living costs. “The cost-of-living crisis is impacting the opportunities for young people to have downtime or enjoy socializing,” he said.
School experiences also play a significant role in declining well-being, with 14.3% of UK children expressing dissatisfaction with their school life. Bullying, pressure to succeed academically, and a lack of mental health support were among the top concerns for children.
Experts warn that the UK’s mental health crisis is being exacerbated by long waiting lists for support, with over 270,000 children still waiting for further assistance after an initial referral.
The findings call for urgent government action, including better mental health resources, reducing inequality, and improving school environments to support children’s overall happiness and well-being.
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