HELSINKI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Finland, long regarded as the world's happiest country, has seen a dramatic drop in international rankings for child well-being, sparking deep concern among experts and policymakers.

According to a new report released Wednesday by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Finland fell to 17th place among 43 countries in terms of child well-being - a sharp decline from its 5th-place ranking in the previous report published in 2020. The rankings are based on key indicators including mental health, physical health, and life skills among children and adolescents.

Among the most alarming findings is a surge in youth suicide rates. Finland now ranks among the bottom three countries for suicides among 15- to 19-year-olds, with only Estonia and New Zealand ranking lower. Official statistics reveal that 120 Finnish youths died by suicide in 2022 alone.

The report also highlighted rising childhood obesity and declining educational performance as significant contributors to the country's downward trend. The only area showing improvement was child mortality, while indicators related to life satisfaction and social skills remained largely unchanged.

"By these measures, Finland can no longer be considered a model country for child well-being," said Sanna Koskinen, head of Child-Friendly Governance at UNICEF Finland. "This drop should be a wake-up call."

In response to the growing mental health crisis, the Finnish government has introduced new measures, including a "therapy guarantee" that took effect in May 2025. Under this policy, individuals under the age of 23 are entitled to receive professional therapy within 28 days through the public healthcare system once a need is identified.

Koskinen emphasized that while these initiatives are important, they represent only the beginning of a broader transformation. She called for a comprehensive, integrated approach to child welfare that includes better access to mental health care, improved substance abuse treatment, and targeted reforms in the education system.

She also raised concern over increasing child poverty in Finland. "Children from low-income families are at greater risk of falling behind in school and experiencing social exclusion," she warned. According to official figures, approximately 144,000 children in Finland currently live in financially vulnerable households.

The UNICEF report assessed 43 countries across the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Netherlands, Denmark, and France ranked highest for child well-being, while Turkey and Chile were positioned at the bottom. ■