Social background influences chances at school in Switzerland, according to Unicef
Keystone-SDA
Children’s educational opportunities in Switzerland are heavily dependent on their family background, according to a UNICEF analysis. Switzerland’s social state partly mitigates absolute poverty, but inequalities persist at the start of life.
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In an international comparison, Switzerland is one of the countries where the gap in results between privileged and disadvantaged young people is particularly wide, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a press release on Tuesday.
According to the organisation, 91% of young people from privileged households acquire basic skills. This figure is only 46% among disadvantaged young people. The parents’ level of education, financial resources and day-to-day support are decisive factors.
A worsening situation
Social inequalities also have consequences outside school: young people from low-income households declare themselves to be significantly less satisfied with their lives, according to the press release.
+ What it’s like to be a poor child in wealthy Switzerland
There are also differences when it comes to diet: while 52% of privileged young people eat vegetables every day, this figure is only 43% among disadvantaged young people.
UNICEF warns that these inequalities have worsened in recent years. In Switzerland, both child poverty and income inequality have increased by more than 10% over the last ten years. “Switzerland is one of the OECD countries that has seen the greatest increase in these areas”.
These results are taken from a UNICEF survey on the situation of children in rich countries.
Adapted from French by AI/ts
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