The Learning for Well-being Institute has contributed to the latest edition of Inequality Matters (Issue 34, June 2025), published by the LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
The article, Comparing Child Poverty Using the Luxembourg Income Study and Policy Recommendations, was co-authored by Jonathan Bradshaw (University of York), Gianluca Munalli, and Dominic Richardson of the Institute. It provides a comparative analysis of child poverty across countries using the most recent Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) data.
The analysis reveals striking disparities:
- In Northern European countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Finland, child poverty rates are as low as 5–7%.
- In the United States and Spain, rates reach around 20%.
- In Colombia and Brazil, child poverty affects nearly 30% of children.
These differences are not solely linked to income levels but reflect variations in redistributive policies and social spending. The study shows that comprehensive welfare systems are generally more effective in reducing child poverty, with outcomes diverging significantly even among countries starting from similar pre-transfer poverty levels.
The research also highlights that single-parent households and large families face the greatest risks, emphasising the importance of inclusive, universal policies that ensure adequate support. The authors recommend a portfolio of measures including maternity and paternity leave, childcare, and child benefits.
This article builds on the Institute’s previous collaborations with UNICEF and the ILO, reinforcing evidence that universal approaches to social protection are more effective than fragmented or targeted measures in reducing inequality and supporting children’s long-term development.
Read the full article in Inequality Matters Issue 34 here.
