Child poverty in Italy doubled
between 2011 and 2013, new data from Istat statistics bureau
showed Friday.
The number of minors living in poverty in Italy rose from
723,000 in 2011 to as many as 1,434,000 in 2013. In addition,
the incidence of poverty among families with three to five
members is increasing especially if they include children.
"Unfortunately the economic crisis has taken its toll on
minors, because if in a family the parents are jobless the
poverty is also transmitted to their children," said Reform
Minister Maria Elena Boschi.
Vincenzo Spadafora, the national ombudsman for children and
adolescents urged "immediate intervention" by the government.
"For too long, there has been no long-term anti-poverty
policy," he said.
UNICEF Italy President Giacomo Guerrera also called on the
government to earmark more funds to fighting child poverty.
"Otherwise, society will suffer the consequences in the
long term," he cautioned.
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