The rising number of people in Estonia who are at risk of poverty is a worrying trend, particularly when it comes to child poverty. Children in Estonia are increasingly becoming more exposed to poverty, which requires urgent attention. Despite the challenges posed by this growing rate, encouraging progress is being made. From government-determined family benefits that can put a child through university to nonprofit food banks, there are many ways that the issue is being addressed, as well as opportunities for individuals to get involved.

Mistreatment 

Though the highest rate of those at risk of poverty is consistently older people who live alone, child poverty in Estonia is not absent. The recent at-risk-poverty rate increased the greatest for families with children, specifically those with three or more. As living prices for households continue to rise, particularly in the area of groceries, the at-risk number continues to climb, with the total number of people living in absolute poverty increasing from 18,000 in 2021 to almost 48,000 in 2022.

Many children are placed in state orphanages by the courts and while they may be temporarily placed in foster care, they are often not adopted. The The main reason for this is the significant challenge that foster parents face when caring for a child who has experienced trauma. With such a destabilized and traumatic upbringing, the children are not often given the chances or the tools for proper integration and often turn to delinquency.

Discrimination

On top of this, there is an issue of discrimination when large percentages of the population do not speak Estonian. Much of the population speaks only Russian. Though there are efforts to integrate minorities, they still face struggles in the job market when many professions and employers require that they speak fluent Estonian. This, in turn, creates more hardship for the children of the unemployed and difficulties for their future careers.

The percentage of children living in poverty, whether they are in families or living on their own, may vary over time, but it is a persistent issue that requires attention. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has developed a comprehensive plan to fully realize every child’s rights by 2030. Its data on Estonia indicates that, historically, the efforts employed to address the needs of children who live both in extreme poverty as well as anywhere below the national poverty line have been “average.” For these needs to be met by the 2030 goal, that effort will need to be increased to “very high effort” and “high effort,” respectively.

Encouraging Progress

Despite these hardships, there is still encouraging progress in the fight against child poverty in Estonia. Based on the 2022 Estonian Social Survey, even though the risk of poverty rate has gone up over the last 15 or so years, the absolute poverty rate has rapidly declined along the same timetable, with a spike in 2022 requiring focused effort to flatten out again.

As mentioned, food is one of the most significant factors pushing Estonian families and children into poverty. However, this is being addressed by several efforts to make it more accessible for those in need. One is the Estonian Food Bank, which has been significantly supported by the nonprofit organization Riesenkampff Stiftung. The Riesenkampff Stiftung Foundation was established in 2016 by the Riesenkampffs, a Baltic German family, specifically focusing on charitable and philanthropic initiatives in Estonia.

The Food Bank, established in 2010, works hard to fight poverty and encourage solidarity. Through the efforts of the local government and nearly 300 charity organizations, food is being distributed around the country to those in need by saving and redistributing surplus food, most of which would otherwise go to waste. Since the beginning of its food distribution in 2015, the initiative has provided food for an average of 25,000 people per year, with a large portion of them receiving aid twice a year.

Moving Forward

Unlike other European countries, the percentage of those living below absolute poverty in Estonia is measured, which gives an excellent indication of where the statistics truly lie. Since 2014, child poverty has been on a steady decline. At the same time, more effective family benefits systems have been implemented. A monthly child allowance has been the primary one helping children in poverty in Estonia precisely. Because it is not dependent on family income, it ensures opportunities for every child. With the child allowance, every child is eligible for a monthly allowance until age 16, which extends to 19 if they decide to pursue higher education.

Estonia is a small and often off-the-radar country and its plight, especially that of its children, is real. They face poverty, marginalization and uncertain futures. However, despite these real and present hardships, there is encouraging progress being made in terms of overall poverty in the country, as well as specifically addressing the needs of the children in absolute poverty.

– Isaac Songster
Photo: Wikimedia Commons