Canada ranks 25th among 41 rich countries in child and youth well-being
TORONTO, June 15, 2017 /CNW/ - A new UNICEF report released today highlights the challenges that high-income countries like Canada face in meeting global commitments for children. Canada does comparatively well in some aspects of child and youth well-being, but lags farthest behind other countries in concerning indicators of child health and violence.
In Oh Canada! Our Kids Deserve Better, the Canadian Companion to the global report, UNICEF digs deeper into the data around child well-being in Canada, busting many of the myths commonly held about what it's like to grow up in Canada.
UNICEF's global report, Report Card 14: Building the Future, reveals that Canada ranks 25th out of 41 rich nations when it comes to child well-being. When compared against 21 indicators related to progress towards the global Sustainable Development Goals for children and youth, Canada ranks in the middle – a place it has held for more than a decade. Of these indicators, seven have improved over time but more have worsened.
"I've spoken to so many Canadians from across the country who believe ours is a great country for our kids to grow up in, but it's time to face the facts: too many of our children are unhealthy, unsafe and unequal," said David Morley, UNICEF Canada President and CEO. "This is not a picture of difficult lives for a few, but of a country with the potential to create better lives for many children and youth. This report shows us not only where we rank, but also how we can get to the top, and build the Canada all of our kids deserve."
Child homicide, suicide, bullying at alarming levels
Canada has the fifth-highest rate of bullying at 15 per cent, ranking 27th out of 41 countries. Unlike many of its peers, Canada has been unsuccessful in bringing bullying rates down over the past 10 years. Canada's child homicide rate is higher than average, ranking 33rd out of 41 countries. Canada also ranks 31st out of 41 for teen suicide.
"The findings of this report are tragic because they paint a picture of Canada that many of us don't want to see," said Morley. "Yet we must confront reality: our kids are being pulled down by the weight of too many pressures, and they're not getting the support they need. It's our shared responsibility to look at the facts and resolve to do better."
Air quality barely below safe levels
Canada's air pollution is just barely below the safe level set out by the World Health Organization. In fact, air quality hasn't improved in Canada in the past 10 years, placing it behind the United States.
"When we can't even promise our children clean air to breathe, we have to really stop and ask ourselves, as a country, what are our priorities? When did it become OK to put our kids' health at such risk?" said Morley. "We are hoping this 150th year of Canada's Confederation is the baseline to move the needle. It's time to get to the top of these league tables, to a Canada where children are at the heart of not only our values, but our actions too."
UNICEF Canada calls on all levels of government to:
UNICEF Canada also calls on Canadians to:
UNICEF Report Card Key Findings:
UNICEF's Report Card Series
As the world's knowledge leader for children, UNICEF is committed to collecting and sharing critical information on the situation of children around the world. For the past 17 years, UNICEF has published a Report Card series on the well-being of children in industrialized countries. By making this data and analysis publicly available, parliamentarians and policy makers will have the information they need to make decisions in the best interest of every child, and all Canadians, including those working in the child well-being sector, will have the tools they need to be a part of the solution. For more information, visit www.unicef.ca/irc14 and join the online conversation with the hashtag #SDGsForEveryChild.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more in developing countries.
UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in more 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.
SOURCE UNICEF Canada
Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866; 647-500-4320 (mobile), [email protected]
UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach...
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