The happiest children in Europe live in Netherlands

The research was compiled by York University at northern England for the Child Poverty Action (CPAG) and used data from 2006. The researchers focused on youngsters aged up to 19. They compared the 29 European countries and used 43 different criteria such as infant mortality, obesity, poverty and housing. The study showed the happiest children lived in Netherlands, which scored high in all categories. The Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland) came next. The researchers noted the children in these countries are less prone to risky behaviors such as early sexual intercourse, smoking and drinking, compared to their counterparts. They also had low level of children deaths caused by accidents. Norway heads the list with the best housing and quality of neighborhoods, which is vital for raising children. Germany finished eight, France finished 15th and Britain was ranked higher, only above countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. CPAG reported despite Britain being one of the leading economies in the world, they ranked lower because a high number of children were living in families where neither parent work. CPAG chief executive Kate Green wants the government to include more measures for child well-being in the budget. She told AFP:

We cannot afford a 'do nothing' Budget for children. The report shows a clear link between high levels of child wellbeing and low levels of child poverty.

"If we fail to protect families during the downturn, progress on child wellbeing could go into reverse.

The full list of ranking is as follows: 1. Netherlands 2. Sweden 3. Norway 4. Iceland 5. Finland 6. Denmark 7. Slovenia 8. Germany 9. Ireland 10. Luxembourg 11. Austria 12. Cyprus 13. Spain 14. Belgium 15. France 16. Czech Republic 17. Slovakia 18. Estonia 19. Italy 20. Poland 21. Portugal 22. Hungary 23. Greece 24. United Kingdom 25. Romania 26. Bulgaria 27. Latvia 28. Lithuania 29. Malta