A new UNICEF study has ranked Germany 25th out of 37 EU and OECD countries in overall child well-being and education. The Netherlands, Denmark, and France topped the list, while Chile came in last.

The study found that only 60% of 15-year-olds in Germany achieve minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics, placing the country 34th out of 41 nations with comparable data. Christian Schneider, head of UNICEF Germany, called the results “alarming.”

“Our country is squandering future opportunities: Those who fail to invest today in the participation, education, and health care of the youngest generation are not only harming children but will pay a high social and economic price tomorrow,” Schneider said.

The gap between children from economically disadvantaged and wealthy households was stark: only 46% of disadvantaged children achieved basic competencies, compared to 90% from affluent families.

Germany ranked 15th in physical health and 21st in mental health. Across all surveyed countries, nearly one in five children live in poverty. UNICEF noted that Germany’s child poverty rate has remained stagnant at 15% for years.

Source: www.dw.com