Children’s rights should never depend on where a child is born.
KidsRights, together with the prestigious Erasmus University, conducts and publishes research through the KidsRights Index, the only global ranking that annually measures how children’s rights are respected worldwide and to what extent countries are committed to improving the rights of children.
It comprises a ranking of all UN member states that have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and for which sufficient data is available, as of 2025 a total of 194 countries are part of the Index.
Every ranking tells a story. It highlights where progress is being made, where children continue to face barriers, and where urgent action is needed.
2026 marks the first year that KidsRights has published a dedicated UK Supplement to the KidsRights Index.
This Supplement provides a detailed, evidence-based analysis of how children’s rights are being realised across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – examining the structural conditions and systemic inequalities that shape children’s lives.
Every child has the right to survive and thrive. The Index examines indicators that reflect children's health and wellbeing from the very beginning of life.
Access to quality healthcare gives children the chance to grow, learn and reach their full potential.
Education opens doors. The Index measures how countries provide children with access to learning and opportunities for the future.
Every child deserves to grow up free from violence, exploitation and abuse. The Index highlights where children remain at risk and where stronger protections are needed.
Strong laws, effective policies and genuine commitment from governments create the conditions where children's rights can flourish.
Every edition of the KidsRights Index highlights the issues shaping children’s lives today.
The 2026 Index points to two rapidly growing global challenges:
These findings do more than identify problems. They help governments, organisations and communities focus on where action is needed most.
The United Kingdom ranks 132nd globally in the KidsRights Index 2026, placing it last among all the 32 Western European countries.
The findings of the KidsRights Index UK Supplement 2026 highlight a clear need for the UK Government to adopt a child rights-based approach to policy and decision-making — one that addresses systemic inequalities and creates the conditions in which every child can thrive. Improving outcomes for children requires not only strong services, but coherent policies, accountability, and meaningful child participation in decisions that affect their lives.
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