Peer-reviewed article
Social Vulnerability and Structural Determinants of Child and Adolescent Well-Being in Europe: A Longitudinal Cross-National Analysis Using Eurostat Data (2017-2023).
Pérez-Jorge D, González-Afonso MC, Hernández-González IA, Martínez-Murciano MC ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined child and adolescent social vulnerability across European countries from 2017 to 2023 using data from Eurostat. The researchers created a Child Social Vulnerability Index combining measures of poverty, material deprivation, inequality, healthcare spending and social protection. The analysis found significant differences in vulnerability across countries, with poverty and deprivation strongly linked together. Child vulnerability overall declined during the study period, including improvements during COVID-19 and after. Three distinct European country groupings were identified based on vulnerability levels and institutional protection.
Key points
- Child social vulnerability is multidimensional, with poverty, material deprivation, and income inequality strongly associated (supporting a structural understanding)
- The Child Social Vulnerability Index (CSVI) showed high internal consistency (r = 0.97 with its first principal component), explaining 76.35% of variance
- Child social vulnerability significantly declined between 2017 and 2023, with additional reductions during the COVID-19 and post-COVID period
- Three distinct European vulnerability profiles were identified through cluster analysis based on CSVI scores and institutional protection mechanisms
- Child social vulnerability is shaped by interaction between socioeconomic inequalities and institutional protection mechanisms
Limitations
This is an ecological study using country-level aggregate data from Eurostat, so it cannot examine individual or household-level determinants or mechanisms. The study does not evaluate specific interventions or programs that might explain the observed improvements in vulnerability.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Child social vulnerability is a multidimensional phenomenon influenced by poverty, material deprivation, inequality, and institutional protection. This study analysed child and adolescent social vulnerability in Europe between 2017 and 2023 and developed a Child Social Vulnerability Index (CSVI). Methods: A longitudinal ecological study was conducted using Eurostat country-year data from European countries. Indicators included severe child poverty, severe material deprivation, income inequality (Gini index), preventive healthcare expenditure, and social protection expenditure. Descriptive, longitudinal, principal component, and cluster analyses were performed. Results: The findings revealed substantial differences in child social vulnerability across European countries. Poverty, material deprivation, and inequality were strongly associated, supporting the multidimensional nature of vulnerability. Principal Component Analysis supported the internal structure of the child Social Vulnerability Index (CSVI), identifying two components that explained 76.35% of the variance. The CSVI showed a very high correlation with the first principal component (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) confirming its structural consistency. Longitudinal analyses revealed a significant decline in child social vulnerability between 2017 and 2023 with an additional reduction during the COVID-19/post-COVID period. Cluster analysis identified three distinct European vulnerability profiles based on the CSVI and institutional protection dimension. Conclusions: Child social vulnerability in Europe is shaped by the interaction of socioeconomic inequalities and institutional protection mechanisms. The CSVI provides a useful tool for monitoring vulnerability and informing policies to reduce inequalities and promote child and adolescent well-being.