Canada, one of the world's most developed and richest countries, faces high child mortality rates and youth suicides
Canada facing high youth suicide rates and child mortality, UNICEF report warns-
Canada is struggling with rising youth suicide rates, child mortality, and a lack of progress in supporting child well-being, according to a new UNICEF report. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations, Canada ranks poorly among high-income countries when it comes to supporting the mental and physical health of its children. The data paints a troubling picture —
Canada ranks 33rd in adolescent suicide, 25th in child mortality, and 28th in social skills among youth.
UNICEF Canada's CEO, Sevaun Palvetzian, didn't mince words, saying in a statement,
'Canada is barely getting a passing grade.'
The report, which ranks 43 OECD and EU countries, places Canada at 19th overall, far below many of its economic peers. Here's a breakdown of what the data reveals and why this should concern us all.
Why is Canada falling behind in youth suicide rates?
The youth suicide rate in Canada was reported at
8.4 per 100,000 adolescents
, a slight improvement from 10.1 in 2018. While this is the most significant positive shift for Canada among the report's indicators, the country still ranks 33rd out of 42 countries, highlighting that suicide remains a leading cause of death for Canadian youth.
UNICEF Canada youth advocate Matin Moradkhan emphasized the urgent need for accessible and affordable mental health care.
'Mental health care needs to be accessible and affordable for all children when they need it the most,'
she told the Toronto Star. She also stressed the importance of mental health education in schools, saying that early intervention is key:
'If children learn about the signs earlier, they can ask for help before it's too late.'
Is child mortality in Canada improving fast enough?
While child mortality in Canada has improved since 2018, the progress has been slower than in other countries. Canada ranked 25th out of 43 countries in this category, raising concerns about the country's ability to keep pace with global improvements in child health.
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Emily Gruenwoldt, CEO of Children's Healthcare Canada, pointed out that Canada's pediatric healthcare systems are undersized and unable to meet the growing demands of a population with more complex medical needs. She warned that this lack of investment results in measurable human and financial costs:
'Investing in our children protects our future workforce and reduces long-term healthcare costs.'
How are Canadian children doing socially?
The report also shines a light on Canadian children's social skills and their ability to make friends. Canada placed 28th out of 41 countries, with little to no improvement since 2018. This decline in social competence is tied to increased bullying, which remains a widespread issue.
UNICEF found that 22% of Canadian children reported being bullied frequently — a statistic that contributes heavily to low life satisfaction, which has dropped three percentage points since 2018. Currently, Canada ranks 13th in overall life satisfaction among youth.
Is Canada investing enough in child well-being?
UNICEF Canada is calling on governments at all levels to strengthen income benefits, expand parental leave, improve school food programs, and ensure affordable child care. These changes, they argue, can directly improve children's mental health and well-being.
'When families can count on financial support and access to services, it reduces stress at home,'
said Palvetzian. She also noted that better family policies aren't just good for children—they're also smart economic policy. According to the OECD, the cost of unmet child well-being needs is equivalent to 2.7% of Canada's GDP annually, due to lost employment, earnings, and poor health outcomes.
What are the next steps for Canada?
To address these issues, UNICEF Canada has outlined several key recommendations:
Appoint a national commissioner to prioritize children's needs in all policy decisions.
Extend the Youth Mental Health Fund to include younger children.
Fully implement Jordan's Principle, ensuring First Nations children have access to the same services as other Canadian children.
Moradkhan also warned that a growing "polycrisis" — including COVID-19, climate change, digital technology, and global conflict — is shaping childhoods in ways we're only beginning to understand. Even five years after the start of the pandemic, its emotional toll is still deeply felt.
'There's increased anxiety for young people about their future because of all the uncertainty,'
she said.
Can Canada turn things around?
The UNICEF Report Card is a wake-up call. Canada, a country known for its prosperity and quality of life, is failing to provide its children with the foundational support they need to thrive. The numbers are clear. A stronger, more unified approach — from federal to municipal governments — is needed to reverse these trends and give every child a fair chance.
FAQs:
Q1. Why is the
Canada youth suicide rate
still high despite recent improvements?
Because suicide remains a leading cause of death among teens and mental health care is still not widely accessible.
Q2. What does UNICEF Canada recommend to improve child well-being?
They suggest better income support, mental health services, affordable child care, and a national children's commissioner.
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