Belgium only ranks 11th in Europe when it comes to social justice, reveals research by Bertelsmann Stiftung (a German think tank) published on Tuesday. In this aspect, as in others, the generation gap is widening.
As was the case last year, Scandinavian countries perform better when it comes to comprehensive social n, followed by the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.
Belgium ranks 11th and owes this result to the widening gap between young and old. “Younger generations will bear the burdens resulting from limited use of renewable energy, high greenhouse gas emissions, and national debt ratio,” highlights the report. The same trend can be observed throughout Europe which leads the Bertelsmann Foundation to warn of “a lost generation.” In Belgium, 23.2 % of children and teenagers are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, compared to 17.2% of the population above this age. The socio-economic environment is as crucial in educational attainment in only 7 other countries, and Belgium suffers from a high dropout rate (9.8%).
At the same time the country’s healthcare system is doing well. Only 2 countries (Luxemburg and the Netherlands) have a fairer system. Belgium also shines when it comes to social cohesion and non-discrimination. The federal parliament is a good example with the third highest proportion of women MPs.
(Source: Belga)
