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Poverty and education: a 'lost decade' for Spain's children Poverty and education: a 'lost decade' for Spain's children
(35 minutes later)
Despite some recent good news for Spain’s economy, the past years of recession have inevitably left a mark on the country and its society.Despite some recent good news for Spain’s economy, the past years of recession have inevitably left a mark on the country and its society.
Earlier this year, Spain posted its strongest growth since the financial crisis began as Spanish GDP rose by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2014. High unemployment has been a big issue and despite the unemployment rate falling to 23.7% in the third quarter, Spain still has one of the highest jobless rates in Europe.Earlier this year, Spain posted its strongest growth since the financial crisis began as Spanish GDP rose by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2014. High unemployment has been a big issue and despite the unemployment rate falling to 23.7% in the third quarter, Spain still has one of the highest jobless rates in Europe.
Another significant issue is child poverty. A report published today by Unicef, shows that the largest increases in child poverty between 2008 and 2012 have been noted in southern European countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain.Another significant issue is child poverty. A report published today by Unicef, shows that the largest increases in child poverty between 2008 and 2012 have been noted in southern European countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain.
PorCausa, a Spanish foundation that combine social research, data analysis and investigative journalism have published a report which examines the issue which highlights further today’s Unicef study.PorCausa, a Spanish foundation that combine social research, data analysis and investigative journalism have published a report which examines the issue which highlights further today’s Unicef study.
Here are some key findings from PorCausa:Here are some key findings from PorCausa:
According to PorCausa, more than 2.7m Spanish children - one in three - lived in poverty or were at the risk of social exclusion in 2013. The EU average for the percentage of children living in poverty or at risk of social exclusion stands at 27.6% - in Spain it reached 32.6% last year.According to PorCausa, more than 2.7m Spanish children - one in three - lived in poverty or were at the risk of social exclusion in 2013. The EU average for the percentage of children living in poverty or at risk of social exclusion stands at 27.6% - in Spain it reached 32.6% last year.
Analysis of Eurostat data, according to the study, shows how the crisis has hit children worse than any other age group. The foundation also highlights the long-term consequences in the failure to protect children from poverty.Analysis of Eurostat data, according to the study, shows how the crisis has hit children worse than any other age group. The foundation also highlights the long-term consequences in the failure to protect children from poverty.
The report states:The report states:
Even short periods of poverty in critical years of children’s development can have life-long consequencesEven short periods of poverty in critical years of children’s development can have life-long consequences
The map below shows school dropout rates in the EU - it shows the proportion of 18-24 year olds in each country that are early leavers from education and training. At 23.6% Spain has the highest rate in the EU.The map below shows school dropout rates in the EU - it shows the proportion of 18-24 year olds in each country that are early leavers from education and training. At 23.6% Spain has the highest rate in the EU.
The Unicef report calculates the impact of the crisis on the median income of households with children suggests that, between 2008 and 2012:The Unicef report calculates the impact of the crisis on the median income of households with children suggests that, between 2008 and 2012:
Greek families lost the equivalent of 14 years of progress; Ireland, Luxembourg and Spain lost a full decade; and four other nations lost almost as much. The Great Recession has brought suffering and life-long risks to an extra 619,000 children in Italy, 444,000 in France and 2 million in Mexico.Greek families lost the equivalent of 14 years of progress; Ireland, Luxembourg and Spain lost a full decade; and four other nations lost almost as much. The Great Recession has brought suffering and life-long risks to an extra 619,000 children in Italy, 444,000 in France and 2 million in Mexico.
PorCausa have illustrated the ‘lost decade’ in the chart below. They found that between 2000 and 2008 the accumulated growth of Spain’s economy reached 29.9%. In the same period, the prevalence of child poverty remained stable, only to grow when the crisis began.PorCausa have illustrated the ‘lost decade’ in the chart below. They found that between 2000 and 2008 the accumulated growth of Spain’s economy reached 29.9%. In the same period, the prevalence of child poverty remained stable, only to grow when the crisis began.
Gonzalo Fanjul, co-founder of porCausa Foundation said: “Spain has responded to this crisis by cutting child-related spending by 15% since 2010. Most worryingly, the gap between the richest and the poorest families was actually higher after government’s intervention, showing how the current approach is part of the problem.”Gonzalo Fanjul, co-founder of porCausa Foundation said: “Spain has responded to this crisis by cutting child-related spending by 15% since 2010. Most worryingly, the gap between the richest and the poorest families was actually higher after government’s intervention, showing how the current approach is part of the problem.”
Fanjul also points to the problems faced when collecting and analysing child poverty data:Fanjul also points to the problems faced when collecting and analysing child poverty data:
“Our research shows that the available data on child poverty and wellbeing is incomplete, fragmented and out of date. We do not know for sure how many children are suffering, where they are and what responses are working better. Making essential public policy decisions on the basis of this blurry, old photograph is a risky exercise”.“Our research shows that the available data on child poverty and wellbeing is incomplete, fragmented and out of date. We do not know for sure how many children are suffering, where they are and what responses are working better. Making essential public policy decisions on the basis of this blurry, old photograph is a risky exercise”.
Although the fragmentation of the data does not affect the overall poverty numbers, he says, the detail of child poverty spending, which is largely handled by regional and local governments is virtually impossible to know. Therefore, he reflects, that not having more recent data means that the reality is likely to be gloomier than the one reflected in the report. Although the fragmentation of the data does not affect the overall poverty numbers (such as the lack of more recent data does), he says, the detail of child poverty spending, which is largely handled by regional and local governments is virtually impossible to know. Therefore, he reflects, that not having more recent data means that the reality is likely to be gloomier than the one reflected in the report.
Eurostat defines the at-risk-of-poverty rate as the share of people with an equivalised disposable income (after social transfer) below 60 % of the national median equivalised disposable income after social transfers. More detailed definitions of the risk of poverty and or social exclusion can be found on the Eurostat website.Eurostat defines the at-risk-of-poverty rate as the share of people with an equivalised disposable income (after social transfer) below 60 % of the national median equivalised disposable income after social transfers. More detailed definitions of the risk of poverty and or social exclusion can be found on the Eurostat website.