The annual Unicef Worlds of Influence Report Card released today shows that New Zealand is one of the worst places to be a child and ranks 35th out of the 41 richest countries surveyed, which include OECD countries and the countries that make up the European Union.
New Zealand’s youth suicide rate is the 2nd worst 14.9 deaths per 100,000 adolescents.
New Zealand has the 2nd highest obesity rate in the OECD. More than 1 In 3 children are obese or overweight.
Only 64.6 per cent of 15-year-olds in NZ have basic proficiency in reading and maths.
New Zealand ranked 20th out of the 41 countries based on their policies that support child well-being and other factors including the economy, society and environment.
