Child poverty is on the rise in Canada, putting over 1 million kids at risk of life-long negative effects
Child poverty is on the rise in Canada, putting over 1 million kids at risk of life-long negative effects
At first glance, Canada ranks among the top third of countries for its work in addressing child poverty. But that isn’t the whole story.
Based on current rates of and overall progress in reducing child poverty, the latest UNICEF report card ranks Canada 11th out of 39 of the world’s wealthiest countries. Initially, it seems Canada is doing well; between 2012 and 2021, child poverty fell by 23 per cent.
In reality, since 2021, the number of children living in monetary poverty has sharply risen from 15.2 per cent in 2020 to 17.8 per cent in 2021, and more than one million Canadian children live in poverty today.
This means that one in five children live in persistent fear and stress, face barriers to having their basic needs met, such as stable housing and nutritious food, and experience a lack of opportunity, including access to quality early childhood experiences. As a child psychologist and a health economist, we know that the consequences of child poverty are lifelong and are worth prioritizing.
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