Overview

• UNICEF's 19th Report Card reveals significant declines in child mental health, physical health, and academic performance in high-income countries, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The UK ranks 21st out of 36 wealthy nations for overall child wellbeing, with teenage life satisfaction tied for second-lowest and youth suicide rates rising from 4 to 5.12 per 100,000 since 2018.
• Bullying remains a persistent issue, with 27% of UK 15-year-olds and 22% of Canadian youth reporting frequent bullying, contributing to lower life satisfaction.
• Canada ranks 19th overall, with one in five youth experiencing loneliness and one in four struggling to make friends, despite being among the wealthiest nations.
• UNICEF calls for urgent policy actions, including increased mental health funding, anti-bullying initiatives, poverty reduction measures, and better nutrition standards, to address these concerning trends.