League Table of Child Maltreatment Deaths in Rich Nations

This report represents the first ever attempt to draw a comparative picture of the physical abuse of children in the 27 richest nations of the world. Estimates indicate that almost 3,500 children under the age of 15 years die from physical abuse and neglect every year in the industrialised world, although the number of deaths from maltreatment appears to be generally declining. The greatest risk of death through abuse is found to be among younger children, particularly those under one year old. The lowest incident rates are found in countries such as Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland and Norway, whilst the highest levels are in the United States, Mexico and Portugal. Generally, the rates of child deaths from maltreatment appears to mirror that of adult death rates from assault. Poverty and stress, along with drug and alcohol abuse, are key factors associated with child abuse and neglect.UNICEF: Innocenti Research Centre is the author of 'League Table of Child Maltreatment Deaths in Rich Nations', published 2003 under ISBN 9788885401945 and ISBN 8885401945.