(ANSA) - Rome, April 15 - Over one in four children in the
European Union are at risk of poverty or social exclusion as a
result of the economic crisis, Save the Children said in a
report published Tuesday.
Between 2008 and 2012 the number of minors threatened by
poverty across the 28-member union rose by one million to 27
million, or 28% of the total, the international children's
advocacy organisation said.
The number rose by 500,000 between 2011 and 2012 alone.
In Italy 33.8% of children were deemed at risk, compared to
between 12% and 19% in northern European countries.
In Greece, Hungary and Latvia the percentage of at-risk
children ranged between 35% and 41%, while in Romania and
Bulgaria it rose to 52%.
The report, commissioned in view of European parliamentary
elections on May 25, blamed the economic crisis and poor
distribution of resources for the rise in child poverty.
One in four children in Europe at risk of poverty
In Italy 33.8% of children are at risk, Save the Children says