UNICEF REPORT CARD 18
UNICEF REPORT CARD 18
WHAT IS THE UNICEF REPORT CARD?
UNICEF Report Cards measure child and youth well-being in wealthy countries.
Report Card 18 compares levels of child poverty in the richest countries; the progress they have been making to end child poverty; and how well their policies protect every child from poverty.
How DOES CANADA RANK?
CANADA RANKS 11TH AMONG 39 WEALTHY COUNTRIES FOR ITS PROGRESS TO REDUCE CHILD POVERTY.
READ UNICEF’S REPORT CARD 18:
GOOD POLICIES YIELD GOOD RANKINGS IN UNICEF LEAGUE TABLES.
Levels of child poverty depend on how well governments protect children from it. Income support policies have lifted many children out of poverty and lifted Canada up the rankings in UNICEF Report Card 18. Only six high-income countries had a more substantial decline in child poverty over the past decade.
CANADA’S WORK TO LIFT CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY IS NOT DONE.
Child poverty has increased in Canada for the first time in many years. The poverty rate has risen more sharply for children than for other Canadians. After years of progress, Canada is still a middle performer among rich countries for its current rate of child poverty, ranking 19th. As a rich country with one of the greatest increases in wealth over the past decade, Canada can aim higher. At a time when the pandemic’s impacts continue to weigh heavily on children, Canada must act with urgency to protect children from poverty.
There are effective and affordable steps to finish the job. Leaving children in poverty is a choice.
HOW DO YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT POVERTY AND EXCLUSION?
“I have to work full-time night shifts while attending school full-time just to scrape by.”
“I don’t go out with friends because I can’t afford it.”
“People judge my family for the little help we get.”
“We should be able to actually live our lives, not wonder if we can survive paycheque to paycheque.”
- UNICEF Canada youth advocates