UNICEF "Report Card 20": Child Well-being in Developed Countries – Overweight Children 1.7 Times Higher in Countries with Greater Economic Inequality; Japan Ranks 34th out of 43 Countries in Economic Inequality Despite Minimal Academic Disparity [Press Release]

"Report Card 20: Unequal Chances – Children and economic inequality"

[Florence, Italy / Tokyo, May 12, 2026]

According to an analysis released today by UNICEF's Innocenti Research Centre, economic inequality in developed countries is linked to declining physical health and academic performance in children. An overview of Japan's analysis results, along with comments from Professor Aya Abe of Tokyo Metropolitan University, is included at the end of the text.

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UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre's report, "Report Card 20: Economic Inequality Affecting Children – Do All Children Have Equal Chances? (Original title: Unequal Chances – Children and economic inequality)" examines the relationship between economic inequality and child well-being in 44 OECD member and high-income countries. It reveals that in most of these countries, income disparities and child poverty rates remain high. On average across all surveyed countries, the income of households in the top 20% income bracket is more than five times that of households in the bottom 20%. Furthermore, nearly one in five children lives in relative poverty, meaning their basic needs may not be met.

Children smiling at an elementary school in Cologne, where "education that values children's rights" is practiced (Germany, photographed June 25, 2025) © UNICEF/UNI824930/Etges

A boy receiving UNICEF support in Veracruz State, affected by floods (Mexico, photographed October 24, 2025) © UNICEF/UN0861107/Marin

Bo Viktor Nylund, Director of the Innocenti Research Centre, states: "Inequality significantly impacts how children learn, what they eat, and how they feel about life. To mitigate the worst effects of inequality, we urgently need to strengthen investments in the health, nutrition, and education of the most disadvantaged children."

The report indicates a clear correlation between the extent of economic inequality and children's health status. Children growing up in countries with very high inequality are 1.7 times more likely to be overweight than those in countries with very low inequality, which may reflect poor diet quality or food insecurity.

The report also cites data from European Union (EU) member states, showing that only 58% of children from households in the bottom 20% income bracket report "very good health," compared to 73% in the top 20%.

Furthermore, the report points out that regarding the link between economic inequality and academic performance, countries with greater socioeconomic disparities tend to have lower average scores in academic tests overall. In countries with the highest inequality, 65% of children graduate from school without mastering basic reading and math skills, compared to only 40% in countries with the lowest inequality.

Five-year-old İrem making a heart with clay at an Early Childhood Education (ECE) playground in Adana (Turkey, photographed February 27, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI957780/Feyzioglu

Such disparities also exist within individual countries, with significant differences in academic test results between children from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds. On average, 83% of 15-year-olds from top 20% income households master basic reading and math skills, while only 42% from bottom 20% households do.

This report calls on governments and stakeholders to take action in several policy areas to minimize the impact of inequality on children's well-being, particularly including reducing child poverty. Specific actions include:

Strengthening safety nets, including family and child benefits and minimum wages, to ensure no child grows up in poverty.

Supporting communities in difficult situations through the provision of public housing and housing subsidies, infrastructure development, and investment in public facilities such as green spaces and leisure facilities.

Rectifying educational disparities by ensuring schools are adequately staffed and equipped, and providing healthy and nutritious school meals to children, regardless of their family's economic background.

Better understanding children's perspectives on how inequality affects them and their families, and formulating solutions that promote well-being.