WUNRN
http://epthinktank.eu/2015/06/09/child-poverty-in-the-eu/
|
CHILD POVERTY IN THE EU |
Written by Verena Kern
In 2013, 27,7 percent of children
in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The figures have been on
the rise in most EU Member States since the onset of the crisis. The risk of
growing up in poverty is highest in Bulgaria, Romania and Greece and lowest in
Finland, Denmark and Sweden. Furthermore, 11,1 percent of children
are severely affected by material deprivation
meaning they are unable to afford goods and services considered 'ordinary' or
'necessary' by society.
© Sunny studio / Fotalia
The effects of growing up in poverty are devastating in many
areas of life and can have long-lasting effects on the well-being, development
and health of children. Moreover, these children are put at a high risk of
social exclusion, stigmatization and life-long poverty. In
addition to the effects on the individual, child poverty also imposes costs on
the society as a whole.
Whilst poor access to facilities and services can be an issue,
lack of income is the main driver in putting families at risk of poverty.
However, the provision of adequate income support and levels of spending on
family benefits vary considerably between EU Member States and so does the
support for parents' labour market participation for example by providing
accessible, affordable and quality childcare services. Due to budgetary
constraints some countries have reduced social investments
in recent years.
While EU Member States have the main responsibility in combating
poverty and social exclusion, the European Union has tried to find a common
approach in recent years, including in light of the EU 2020 target of
lifting 20 million people out of poverty and social exclusion. In 2013, the
European Commission adopted a Recommendation on Child Poverty
as part of a wider Social Investment Package.
The Recommendation stresses the importance of early intervention and
preventative approaches. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the
European Parliament is currently drafting a report on reducing
inequalities with a special focus on child poverty.
Analysis for the
European Commission
Child poverty and child well-being in the European Union/
Tarki Report for the European Commission, Volume I: Main report, 2010, 207 p.
In three chapters this report outlines the most important characteristics and
determinants of child poverty whilst describing policies in EU Member States
and identifying indicators of child poverty and well-being in the EU.
Social protection during the economic crisis. How do
changes to benefit systems affect children?/ Barbara Janta,
Marie-Louise Henham, RAND Europe, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion,
2014, 18 p.
This policy brief examines how the changes to family and child-related benefits
during the economic crisis affected children. The paper finds that whilst there
was an increase in the percentage of children living in poverty and social
exclusion and child and family policies deteriorated to some extent, recent
reforms and measures across member states aimed to protect vulnerable families.
Stakeholder Views
Child poverty and social exclusion
in Europe. A matter of children's rights/ Save the Children, 2014,
40 p.
This report analyses causes and effects of child poverty and social exclusion
in EU Member States. It finds that employment conditions and social transfers
have the greatest influence on child poverty, followed by equal access to
affordable childcare, free high-quality education and adequate and affordable
housing.
The 2014 National Reform Programmes (NRP) and National
Social Reports (NSR) from a Child Poverty and Well-being perspective/
Eurochild,
September 2014 - Based on an analysis of the National Reform Programmes (NRPs),
Eurochild assesses the commitment of 17 EU Member States to fight child poverty
and social exclusion. Particular attention is given to whether the NRPs have
taken into account the Commission’s Social Investment Package and the
Recommendation on child poverty and well-being.
Explainer on children’s well-being/ European
Anti Poverty Network and Eurochild, 2013, 35 p.
"This explainer on children’s well-being is aimed at raising public
awareness about child poverty in the European context, its causes, and impacts
on children and their families. It highlights policy and practice targeted at
child poverty and promoting the well-being of all children. The text provides
an overview of the main concepts and terminology with practice examples, as
well as brief discussions of relevant child and family policy issues in the
context of the current economic crisis and pressure on national budgets."
Policy Paper on Child Poverty and Social Exclusion/
Eurodiaconia, Brussels, 2012, 7 p.
In response to the European Commission's Recommendation on Child Poverty
Eurodiaconia published this short policy brief with a number of additional
recommendations coming from the members of Eurodiaconia in EU Member States.
Child well-being in rich countries: a comparative
overview/ UNICEF Office of Research, Innocenti Report Card 11, 60 p.
This UNICEF report compares child well-being in 29 of the world's advanced
economies. In three parts it presents different dimensions of child well-being
such as education, health, material well-being and looks at the progress made
in these areas in countries around the world.
Statistics
People at risk of poverty or social exclusion by age and
sex (less than 18 years old) 2004-2013, Eurostat table.
The State of the World’s Children 2014 in Numbers: Every Child Counts - Revealing Disparities, Advancing Children’s Rights. United Nations, New York, 2014. This UN report provides 14 comparative country tables with indicators such as early childhood development, disparities by household wealth, demography, economy, education, health.