A look at children from the world’s richest countries offers a mixed picture of their health, skills, and happiness. For far too many, issues such as poverty, exclusion and pollution threaten their mental well-being, physical health, and opportunities to develop skills. Even countries with good social, economic, and environmental conditions are a long way from meeting the targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Focused and accelerated action is needed if these goals are to be met.
The evidence from 41 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Union (EU) countries tells its own story: from children’s chances of survival, growth and protection, to whether they are learning and feel listened to, to whether their parents have the support and resources to give their children the best chance for a healthy, happy childhood. The reports reveal children’s experiences against the backdrop of their country’s policies and social, educational, economic and environmental contexts.
In keeping with UNICEF's universal mandate for children in every country, the Innocenti Report Card series focuses on the well-being of children in high income countries. Since 2000, Innocenti Report Cards have shown that even in the world’s richest countries, the daily lives of millions of children fell far short of what anyone would call a good childhood. Each Report Card publication includes league tables ranking OECD and EU countries according to the latest available comparative data.
Visit the microsite for Report Card 16: Worlds of Influence