Concerns about children’s well-being are rising across Europe, with the UK ranking lowest in the region amid what experts are calling a “happiness recession” among British teenagers.
The 2024 Good Childhood Report, published by The Children’s Society, shows that 25.2% of UK 15-year-olds report low life satisfaction, compared to a European average of 16.6%. In contrast, Dutch teenagers are among the happiest, with only 6.7% reporting low life satisfaction.
“Alarm bells are ringing,” said Mark Russell, CEO of The Children’s Society.
One major factor contributing to the unhappiness of UK children is poverty. The report highlights that Britain ranks fourth in food deprivation, with 11% of 15-year-olds skipping meals due to financial struggles.
The charity found that many parents struggle to meet their children’s basic needs. Over one in five parents and carers report difficulties affording a daily hot meal, nearly a quarter can’t buy a warm winter coat, and just over a quarter are unable to provide fresh fruit and vegetables regularly.
The report underscores that British girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds are especially affected, with food poverty playing a significant role in their low well-being.
Child poverty, defined as living in households earning less than 60% of the national median income, has become a critical issue in the UK. According to the United Nations, the rise in child poverty in the UK has been the steepest among the 43 member nations of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Between 2012-2014 and 2019-2021, child poverty increased by about 20%, leading to a significant number of children living in low-income households. As a result, half of all UK children are now unable to participate in school trips or similar activities due to financial constraints.
This situation has worsened due to a decade of austerity policies implemented by consecutive Conservative governments. A 2013 Oxfam report revealed that budget cuts led to the closure of crucial social services like youth centres, leaving young people without safe spaces for social interaction.
Former UN special rapporteur on poverty, Philip Alston, has been vocal about the harm caused by these cuts, which weakened services fostering community cohesion, making children more vulnerable.
The economic downturn, compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, has left many families struggling to afford essentials. The poorest 20% of UK households are now worse off than many in Eastern Europe. Two in five children report feeling anxious about rising prices and the country’s economic instability.
Experts believe that to align with other developed nations, the UK must significantly boost spending on child and family benefits.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
