UK children set to be one of 'unhealthiest generations' in decades as doctors brand record a 'national embarrassment'

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026 · last updated 24 September 2026.

Scotland has the worst child death rate of any UK nation at 10.1 deaths per 100,000 children, while leading paediatricians warn that British children will grow up among the unhealthiest in decades, with every single measure examined showing either deterioration or no progress on child health. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health analysed 12 globally recognised indicators — including obesity, asthma, infant mortality and vaccination rates — and found the UK trailing badly behind western European neighbours on all of them. Only 84% of UK children receive both MMR doses by age five, making Britain the worst-performing G7 nation on the measure and far short of the WHO's 95% target.

Scotland's child mortality rate of 10.1 per 100,000 dwarfs England and Wales's 8.6, with inequality making it worse.

More than a quarter of Scottish five-year-olds show obvious tooth decay, with no improvement since 2020, rising to 40% in the poorest areas.

The UK already carries one of Europe's highest asthma-related death rates among children, with mental health hospital admissions also climbing.