The report examines how persistent low income – a key indicator of child poverty – affects children’s living conditions, development, and opportunities across the Nordic countries. It reflects relative poverty, showing how a person’s income compares to the rest of society. Persistent low income builds on the AROP concept (At-Risk-Of-Poverty) by focusing on the duration of low income. While AROP may capture temporary financial hardship, persistent low income highlights households that have remained below the poverty threshold for several consecutive years. This provides a deeper understanding of long-term economic vulnerability. Based on existing data and research, the report provides an overview of current trends and presents ideas for improving how child poverty is monitored and understood.
Presenters:
- Tone Fløtten (Fafo): Why monitoring child poverty in the Nordic region matters, and children’s own experiences of growing up in families facing persistent poverty
- Debora Pricila Birgier & Maria Bobrinskaya (Nordregio): Key trends and disparities across the Nordic region, and proposals for strengthening data and analysis
- Geir Holtan Møller (Telemarksforsking) & Karin Gustavsen (KORUS): Promising approaches to support social mobility and equal opportunities for children and youth
- Vítor Miranda (Nordregio): Challenges and opportunities in the Nordic Statistics database for tracking children’s living conditions and economic vulnerability
Findings to be presented:
- Trends in persistent low income and its role in understanding long-term economic vulnerability
- The importance of following developments over time, across groups and regions
- Children’s own experiences and insights of living in families with financial strain
- Promising approaches to strengthen social mobility, regardless of parents’ social or economic situation
Discussions will focus on how Nordic co-operation can:
- Improve monitoring and knowledge
- Identify who is most at risk
- Ensure interventions and policies effectively support children’s right to life, development, and equal opportunities, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Contribute to a sustainable and socially integrated Nordic region
Who should attend?
This event is relevant for decision-makers, researchers, practitioners, and civil society actors working to improve living conditions for children and youth in the Nordic region, including:
- Policymakers within the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council, and related institutions
- National and regional authorities managing family, welfare, social inclusion, and child well-being policies
- Researchers and analysts focusing on child poverty, inequality, and social mobility
- Professionals in municipalities, NGOs, and public services supporting children, youth, and families in vulnerable situations
- Civil society organisations advocating for children’s rights and equal opportunities
- Whether you contribute to policy, research, or practice, this event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, share experiences, and strengthen Nordic collaboration.