Children’s well-being in developed countries took a downturn during pandemic: UNICEF

Children in many of the world’s wealthiest and developed countries saw a marked decline in their academic performance, mental wellbeing, and physical health in the period since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by UNICEF.

The report, titled Report Card 19: Child Wellbeing in an Unpredictable World, compared data from 2018 and 2022, offering a perspective on how the COVID-19 pandemic and global shutdowns affected children in 43 OECD and EU countries.

Children were pushed behind academically between seven months and one year, on average, according to the report, as a result of school shutdown between three and 12 months, which forced many kids to learn remotely. Those from disadvantaged families suffered more setbacks.

Across the 43 countries, an estimated 8 million 15-year-olds — around half of the age group — were assessed as not functionally literate and numerate, meaning they could not understand a basic text, raising concerns about their long-term prospects, a statement by UNICEF noted. This is a four per cent increase since 2018, and the proportions were highest in Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus and Mexico, where more than two-thirds of 15-year-olds were in this category.  

Children’s life satisfaction also suffered during this time, declining substantially in 14 of 32 countries with available data. Japan was the only country to see a marked improvement in this area. 

In terms of physical health, levels of overweight increased substantially in 14 out of 43 countries with available data, continuing a long-term trend. 

High-income countries may find it challenging to provide children with the conditions for a good childhood and a positive future, the report indicated. It warned that hard-won progress in child wellbeing in wealthy countries is becoming increasingly vulnerable to global events and shocks, such as climate change.   

Since the last comparable Report Card five years ago, the Netherlands and Denmark retained their rankings as the top two places to be a child, based on measures of mental wellbeing, physical health, and skills, followed by France.  

The report urged governments and stakeholders to act in several policy areas for addressing declines in children’s wellbeing. This includes supporting the development of skills as well as social and emotional competencies, especially for children who slipped back during the pandemic and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Governments should improve mental health through promotion and prevention and by providing specialist services, and by tackling violence and bullying, both online and offline.

Children’s physical health should be improved by ensuring nutritious food is available to them and limiting marketing and promotion of unhealthy food.

Stakeholders and governments should engage children to better understand their experiences and views and work with them to find solutions to promote their wellbeing.