UNICEF: Germany just 25th-best country for children’s wellbeing

Germany is far from the best country for supporting children’s wellbeing, a new report by UNICEF has found. The Netherlands, Denmark and France came out on top.

Children’s wellbeing is heavily impacted by the "three Cs"

To create the ranking, UNICEF assessed children’s wellbeing in 43 of the most affluent nations in the world, including members of the European Union, OECD and the G7. Using data provided by the PISA academic study and UN and OECD institutions, each of the countries was rated through factors related to skills, physical and mental health.

In their report for 2025, UNICEF noted that children across the world have been adversely affected by the "three Cs", namely conflict, COVID and the climate crisis. Among the most affluent nations, while child mortality, adolescent suicide and school dropout rates are on the decline, young people are increasingly unsatisfied with their lives, and obesity is on the rise. Likely as a consequence of COVID-related disruption to school systems, academic skills are also beginning to decline.

Dutch children’s wellbeing is considered best in the world

However, the turmoil of the last few years has not affected the top performers. Like the last report in 2020, the Netherlands has been ranked as the best country in the world for child wellbeing.

The country took the top spot once again thanks to excellent scores for child mental and physical health. 87 percent of Dutch 15-year-olds reported being satisfied with their lives, while just 12,6 percent experience bullying at school, the best and second best scores on the list, respectively. Denmark, France, Portugal, Ireland and Switzerland rounded out the top six.

Germany ranked 25th in UNICEF report on children’s wellbeing

While Germany may spotlight children's rights by recognising Children’s Day twice per year, the country is failing to uphold high standards when it comes to children’s wellbeing, slumping to 25th place in the 2025 ranking.

In the six indicators of child wellbeing, UNICEF found that children’s life satisfaction and academic achievements were deteriorating in Germany. The rate of mortality, overweight children and social skills among children were stable, while the suicide rate was reducing, therefore improving.

UNICEF also pointed out that “in 2024, over 25 million schoolchildren in 17 [countries included in the report] experienced disruptions to learning due to climate-related disruptions. In Germany, this included 17.756 children whose schooling was disrupted due to flooding.

UNICEF best countries for children’s wellbeing

In all, here are the top 10 countries where children’s wellbeing is best protected: 

1. The Netherlands
2. Denmark
3. France
4. Portugal
5. Ireland
6. Switzerland
7. Spain
8. Croatia
9. Italy
10. Sweden

For more information about the study and to see the full ranking, visit the UNICEF website.