UK kids are 'unhappier, fatter and worse in school' than other nations

Children in the UK are typically unhappier, fatter and fare worse in school than those in other rich nations, according to a global report.

The Unicef wellbeing study found children across the world are more likely to underperform at school, be obese and feel unhappy than several years ago.

When compared to other high-income countries, the UK ranks 21 out of 36 for child wellbeing, while countries such as France, Spain and Portugal rank near the top.

Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary also rank above the UK, while the Netherlands and Denmark retain their position as the top two places to be a child.

Elsewhere, the UK is in the bottom third of countries on child mental health (27 out of 36), while teenage life satisfaction sees the UK scoring joint second from last (tied with Chile, with only Turkey scoring lower).