In 2021, 11% of dependent children living in EU households experienced child-specific material deprivation (see methodological notes for the definition). This can be attributed to various factors, with two key factors being household composition and the parents’ educational level, which is often linked to their labour market situation. 

Education of parents heavily impacts child material deprivation in 10 EU countries

In 2021, 39% of EU children living in lower-education households (at most lower secondary education – ISCED levels 0-2) experienced material deprivation, compared with 4% for children in higher-education households (tertiary education – ISCED levels 5-8). 

Source dataset: ilc_chmd03

In 10 EU countries, over half of the children in lower-education households faced material deprivation, with the highest shares recorded in Romania (85%), Bulgaria (83%) and Hungary (78%). Meanwhile, the lowest rates were registered in Poland (9%), Germany and Estonia (each 16%). 

Among households where parents had tertiary education, the highest rates of child material deprivation were recorded in Greece (16%), Bulgaria (12%) and Cyprus (10%). The lowest rates of child material deprivation were recorded in Slovenia (near 0%), Czechia, Sweden, and Poland (all 1%).

Source: europa