The Netherlands hits lowest-ever spot on global children's rights index

The Netherlands has fallen to its lowest-ever position on the annual KidsRights Index, landing in 22nd place due to rising childhood obesity and increased infant mortality rates. This marks the second consecutive year that the country has failed to make the top 20.

Rising child mortality and obesity rates spark concern

The country's drop from 10th place four years ago to 22nd today in the KidsRights Index is largely due to deteriorating health indicators. Statistics show that the Netherlands now has one of the highest rates of child mortality in Western Europe. 

According to data reported by NOS, 3,96 per 1.000 children under the age of five die in the country, a figure that sits above the regional average of 3,3 per 1.000. Recent research from the Erasmus MC hospital in Rotterdam reveals that infant mortality is twice as high in deprived neighbourhoods and vulnerable settings. This includes families experiencing socioeconomic hardship and those in asylum seeker accommodations.

Furthermore, childhood obesity has reached what the foundation describes as an epidemic. More than 13,4 percent of children and teenagers aged four to 20 are overweight in the Netherlands according to the report. For children under the age of five, the figure stands at 5,4 percent, significantly outpacing neighbouring Germany at 3,3 percent.  

Systemic failures in youth care and online protection

Beyond health metrics, the index highlights severe deficiencies in the youth care system in the Netherlands. Long waiting lists and budget constraints mean vulnerable children are frequently missing out on essential protection. KidsRights also pointed to a failure to effectively tackle the online distribution of child sexual abuse material as a major factor in the decline.

The foundation criticised a general lack of political priority given to children's rights, particularly within asylum and immigration policies. Marc Dullaert, the founder and chairman of KidsRights, told WNL that the country's performance is "particularly painful".

"Children have not been a priority in policy for years," Dullaert said. "The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child rapped us on the knuckles 24 years ago, but if you fail to take action on youth care, child poverty, and online protection, you get a very low grade. Then you tumble down."

While western European neighbours like Luxembourg and Germany continue to dominate the top spots, Dullaert warned that authorities must treat these latest findings as an urgent wake-up call to overhaul current welfare policies.