The health and development of children are under pressure worldwide due to climate change and the promotion of unhealthy food. In a joint report, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and medical journal The Lancet say that child marketing stimulates the consumption of fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco.
In the study, dozens of experts looked at the situation of children in 180 countries. They have compiled a global index of health, education and nutrition. The impact of greenhouse gas emissions has also been taken into account; that is mainly a factor in richer countries. No country optimally protects the health, living environment and future of children, say the researchers.
Children Norway, South Korea and the Netherlands have the best chance of survival and high well-being. At the bottom of the list are countries such as Somalia, Niger and Mali. Around 250 million young children run the risk of not being able to develop properly due to poverty and growth arrears.
The countries with the best achievements in the field of well-being often also score high when it comes to CO2 emissions. These are, for example, prosperous countries such as the US, Australia and Saudi Arabia, all of which are in the top 10 when it comes to the highest emissions.
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