Our teens are up with the best.. & down with worst

Unicef report shows unhappy youth but top academically

- BY SEAN MURPHY

IRISH teens are among the unhappiest in the world because they succeed academically but struggle in life, a report by Unicef claims.

Around 33% of the teens claim to have a low satisfaction with their lives, according to Unicef’s Report Card 19: Child Wellbeing at Risk in an Unpredictable World.

It warned that Ireland’s youth suicide rate is above the international average after comparing the well-being of teens across 43 OECD and EU countries.

The Covid-19 pandemic, school closures, social isolation and separation from their peers and support systems, plus health concerns like weight are all referenced in the report.

Unicef claimed these issues have “deepened existing inequalities”, especially among teens from disadvantaged areas.

Its spokesperson said: “The aftershocks of the pandemic, combined with economic pressures and digital harm, are reversing decades of progress in child wellbeing.

“Governments are urged to centre children in recovery plans and ensure young people have a voice in shaping their futures.

SKILLS

“Irish teenagers are among the least happy in high-income countries, despite leading the world in academic skills.