17 million EU children live below poverty line

Date: 31/01/02

By Martin Banks

CHILD poverty has increased 'significantly' in the EU over the past 20 years with an estimated 17 million now living below the poverty line.

The latest stark statistic was announced at a conference bringing together MEPs and anti-poverty groups from across Europe.

Diane Sutton, European liaison officer for Save the Children, told delegates that poverty was not only experienced by children in developing countries.

'It is a day-to-day reality for many children living in some of the world's richest countries - despite EU-wide action plans to combat it,' she said.

'Many youngsters in low-income families simply cope with the circumstances they face.

'Their real feelings are more clearly revealed by their beliefs, behaviour, reduced expectations and low aspirations.'

The conference heard that poverty damages children through higher mortality, low birth weight and educational under-achievement.

Delegates were told that more needs to be done by the EU to ensure that the continent's 90 million children achieve their full potential,

They recommended that:

• All European countries should adopt targets for the elimination of child poverty;
• Children living in poverty should be involved in monitoring and evaluating the progress of member states and
• The EU sets up a special policy unit to deal with children's issues.
• The Brussels conference last week was organised by Euronet, which represents an EU-wide network of children's organisations.

Child poverty has increased 'significantly' in the EU over the past 20 years with an estimated 17 million now living below the poverty line.