UNICEF: Child Well-being Declines Even in Rich Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the pressure of digitalization have contributed to a significant decline in child well-being in many of the world's most developed countries, according to a recent analysis published by UNICEF Innocenti. Romania ranks 16th out of 36 high-income countries, above the United Kingdom, but with significant challenges in the areas of physical health and educational skills. The UNICEF analysis, based on indicators on physical and mental health, education levels and life satisfaction, shows an increasingly worrying picture of the state of children around the world. The report highlights that children are less happy, more sedentary and more emotionally vulnerable than just a few years ago.

• Romania: progress in mental health, deficiencies in other areas

According to the report, Romania ranks 5th in mental health, a surprisingly positive indicator compared to the overall position (16th place) and the poor results in other areas: 32nd place in physical health, one of the lowest scores in the ranking;

26th place in educational skills, indicating an urgent need for interventions in the education system.

Regarding life satisfaction, the level among Romanian adolescents decreased from 85% in 2018 to 81% in 2022, in line with the general negative trends in other countries. At the same time, bullying decreased significantly in Romania: from 33.8% of adolescents in 2018 to 24.6% in 2022 - a notable evolution, but which still leaves almost a quarter of children exposed to this phenomenon. In terms of obesity, 23% of Romanian children aged 5 to 19 were overweight in 2022, up from 21% in 2018.

• UK, alarm bell: children among the world's unhappiest

The UK is ranked 21st overall, but it ranks particularly worryingly for mental health - 27th out of 36. British teenagers are second to last in the world in terms of life satisfaction, with girls reporting significantly higher levels of unhappiness than boys. "It's a deeply worrying picture of how much children in the UK are struggling. This should be a wake-up call for the government," said Dr Philip Goodwin, Executive Director of UNICEF UK. The report highlights a possible global "polycrisis" affecting children, fuelled by the lingering effects of the pandemic, the climate crisis and the pressures of digital technology. These, combined, can create a more fragile generation, both physically and emotionally.

• Proposed measures

UNICEF calls on governments to urgently intervene, through coherent and integrated public policies. Among the recommended measures: Supporting the development of basic skills - reading, writing, mathematics, digital and socio-emotional; Improving mental health - through prevention, expanded access to specialized services and combating bullying; Promoting physical health - through access to healthy nutrition and limiting aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods; Involving children in decision-making - so that policies reflect their real realities and needs.

Although Romania is recording notable progress in children's mental health and in reducing the phenomenon of bullying, persistent deficiencies in education and physical health require systemic interventions. The UNICEF report offers a clear mirror on a generation that needs support, balance and public policies adapted to a world in rapid change.