World's 10 Most Children-Friendly Nations

Bangalore: India slipped by 12 ranks between 1995 and 2010 as per the Child Development Index (CDI) released by NGO Save the Children. The CDI monitors the progress in child well-being, and ranks the best and worst places to be a child and improvements in the field at the global level. It measures the number of children in school, the under-five mortality rates and the number of underweight children. The 10 most children-friendly nations are:

Japan (Index score: 0.35):

Japan is the best place in the world to be a child while Somalia is the worst. Japan ranks first on the list. The country is the best performer, with an improved score of 0.35, which represents the highest achieved level of child well-being.

Further, Japan has the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP and fourth-largest economy by purchasing power parity. It is also the world's fourth-largest exporter and fourth-largest importer.

Spain (Index score: 0.55):

Spain takes the second spot on the list. It was also seen that Spain’s Child Development Index score and rank has improved over time.

Further, with efforts of UNICEF Spain has certification strategy in which cities and towns engaged in the process of becoming child friendly receive an award based on the assessment of actions implemented in favor of children’s rights.