Author: TRASSIERRA

Child Poverty

Approximately 76.5 million of children live under poor conditions in the 41 richest countries.

In 28 out of 31 european countries (EU together with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), the poverty rate has increased quicklier among young people than among the eldest ones.

How did the financial crisis turn into a crisis for children?

It is considered that children (0 to 17 years) suffer serious material shortages when the home where they live cannot afford at least four out of the nine following elements:
Pay the rent, the loan or public services.
Keep their home warm enough.
Face unexpected expenses.
Regularly eat meat or proteins.
Go on holidays.
Own a TV.
Own a washing machine.
Own a car.
Own a phone.

There is an important group of 18 countries whose families and governments found the way to cope with the worst consequences of the recession and reduced their figures of child poverty. Chile, Finland, Norway, Poland and the Slovakian Republic are part of this group and were able to cut down their poverty rate to 30% approximately.