Mo., Nov. 20th 2023
5.5% of children in Switzerland had to give up certain leisure activities in 2021 for financial reasons. This is according to a survey by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). 6.1 percent were unable to take a week’s vacation away from home.
Due to a lack of money, a total of 6.4 percent of children under the age of 16 suffered disadvantages in at least three of 17 areas examined, as the Federal Office announced on Thursday.
In this context, experts speak of child-specific deprivation – i.e. a material lack in areas that are considered particularly important for children. For example, the study examined whether children have suitable shoes and clothes, own age-appropriate books, can invite friends over and receive balanced meals.
Children of parents with low incomes and no or low educational qualifications, children of foreign parents and children of single parents were particularly likely to experience restrictions.
At 13%, the European average rate of child-specific deprivation is almost twice as high as in Switzerland. Of Switzerland’s neighboring countries, only Germany has a lower deprivation rate at 6 percent, according to the report.
The European countries with the lowest rates are Slovenia (2.9%), Sweden (3.5%) and Finland (3.7%). Romania (42.5%) and Bulgaria (36.5%) have the highest rates.
©Keystone/SDA
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