The UN Children Fund’s (UNICEF) research office Innocenti has published an analysis of recent trends in child well-being in rich countries over a five-year period relating to life satisfaction, adolescent suicide, child mortality, overweight, academic proficiency, and social skills. The flagship report aims to inform actions to improve child well-being, including by presenting a long-term perspective.

Innocenti Report Card 19 titled, ‘Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World,’ explores the impacts of the ‘three Cs’ (COVID-19, conflict, and climate) and ‘two Ds’ (digital technology and demographic change) on children’s lives. In focuses on the 43 countries that are members of the EU and/or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report reveals “a mixed picture.” The past 25 years have seen major improvements in child well-being, including steady decline in child mortality, overall reduction in adolescent suicide, and increase in school completion rates. Yet, as the last five years have demonstrated, life satisfaction is deteriorating, and academic skills are falling in most countries. Obesity is also on the rise. The report shows that even in rich countries, the hard-won progress in child well-being can be easily compromised due to children’s vulnerability to global events and shocks.

The report ranks countries on the six indicators that help measure child well-being. The Netherlands, Denmark, and France are the best places to grow up, while Mexico, Türkiye, and Chile are ranked the lowest on measures of mental well-being, physical health, and skills.

Following school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s academic skills experienced a “sharp decrease, with substantial learning losses,” according to the report. It estimates that eight million 15-year-olds across 43 countries are functionally illiterate and innumerate. Excessive use of digital technology has also triggered concerns over children’s mental well-being and academic outcomes, the report shows.

The report provides recommendations for governments and stakeholders to reverse declines in children’s well-being, including:   

• Supporting the development of numeracy, literacy, and digital skills and of social and emotional competencies, especially for children held back during the pandemic and children from disadvantaged backgrounds;
• Promoting mental health and tackling violence and bullying, both online and offline;
• Ensuring the availability of nutritious food and limiting marketing and promotion of unhealthy food to children; and
• Working with children to better understand their experiences and views to find solutions to promote their well-being.  

“The extent of the challenges children are facing means we need a coherent, holistic, whole-of-childhood approach that addresses their needs at every stage of their lives,” said UNICEF Innocenti Director Bo Viktor Nylund. He called on countries to prioritize children’s education, health, and well-being to secure their lifetime prospects – and our societies’ economic security.

The report was launched on 14 May 2025. [Publication: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World] [Publication Landing Page] [UNICEF Press Release] [UN News Story]