One in four boys or girls in the European Union is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to a report published this Monday by Unicef that points to Spain as the country in the bloc with the most minors in this situation.
Child poverty affects about 20 million boys and girls in European countries, which represents an increase of 1.6 million compared to 2019, according to the first State of Children in the European Union 2024 from the agency HIM.
In the case of Spainthe figure exceeds two million and represents 28% of the child and adolescent population, the highest rate in the UE.
“High rates of poverty and social exclusion, mental health problems, exposure to pollution and numerous online risks deprive millions of children of opportunities and undermine the potential of the world’s youngest generation. UE“said the representative of Unicef before the EU, Bertrand Bainvel.
11 million minors with mental health problems
The report warns that 11 million minors in the entire UE suffer from an illness related to mental health such as anxiety or depression, something that is especially relevant for adolescents – it affects a fifth of them – and increased during and after the pandemic.
It also highlights that the life satisfaction of 15-year-olds is on the decline and fell from 74% from 2018 to 2022 in 22 Member States.
In Spain the percentage is 76% and this places it as the ninth with the highest levels of well-being and satisfaction.
On the other hand, it reveals that almost one in 20 children is exposed to high levels of pesticide contamination and adds that in 2019, 472 children and young people died (most of them under one year old) due to air pollution. Spain is the seventh country with the worst levels of air pollution according to Unicef.
The report also highlights that the “rapid advances” in digital technology, although “generate many opportunities”; They are also exposing European minors to abuses such as hate messages, cyberbullying or sexual exploitation.
In particular, it stands out that one in eight boys and girls as young as 12 regularly receives unwanted sexual requests online.
recommendations
The objective of this report is “to inform about the vision of the UE for children and future generations”, particularly those “most vulnerable and disadvantaged”, and includes a series of recommendations “to defend and strengthen the rights of children” in the UE.
So, Unicef advocates defending and accelerating progress in children’s rights, increasing investment in fundamental services to guarantee them and taking them into account “systematically” in all policies and legislation of the UE.
The study also calls for action on the “key points” that influence child poverty and for adopting a global, multi-year, multi-sector mental health strategy in this regard “that has a budget and resources.”
Likewise, it recommends evaluating the impact of the European Green Deal on the health and well-being of children, as well as updating and ensuring compliance with legislation to promote the safe use of digital technologies, close the digital divide and boost skills. digital.
Unicef Spain For its part, it calls for establishing a refundable tax deduction of 120 euros per month per child under 18 years of age, expanding the coverage of conciliation measures, guaranteeing the budget for mental health professionals specialized in minors, and involving children and adolescents. on fundamental issues or sign a State pact for the protection of children in the digital environment. EFE
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