Child poverty persists even in Europe. Children from single-parent households are particularly vulnerable

Thursday, Feb 5, 2026

Child poverty persists across Europe; Czech Republic faces rising risks despite some improvements, linked to housing and low wages.

πŸ”— Read the article on denikreferendum.cz


[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

One million people live below the poverty line in the Czech Republic, which is considered an underrepresentation compared to countries like Spain. While Europe as a whole is becoming wealthier, child poverty persists; Eurostat reports that 13.6% of children under sixteen in EU countries are materially deprived. Children from single-parent households face nearly double the risk of poverty and social exclusion compared to those in two-parent homes. The Czech Republic ranks better than some other EU nations regarding material deprivation (8%), but issues like a large number of people living just above the poverty line, debt among poor families, rising numbers of single parents below the income threshold, and increasing poverty among families with more than three children are significant concerns. These childhood disadvantages can negatively affect health, development, and future trust in institutions. Causes vary by country; for example, low wages and tax systems contribute to child poverty in Greece, while housing costs, high taxes on part-time work, low wages, and school accessibility drive the issue in the Czech Republic. Experts suggest solutions such as adjusting minimum wages and reforming social benefits across different countries.


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