President António José Seguro today warned that 301,000 children in Portugal are living in poverty, calling for a collective effort to safeguard childhood.
Marking International Children's Day, President António José Seguro highlighted the scale of child poverty in Portugal and stressed that protecting children must remain a shared national responsibility.
“At a time marked by widening inequalities and the growing exposure of children to new risks, we need better-coordinated institutions, stronger local communities, more inclusive schools, greater support for families, and a society that is more aware of its collective duty to protect childhood,” the Head of State said.
In a written message published on the Presidency’s official website, Seguro referred to recently released figures on child poverty. Two weeks ago, a study by Nova SBE, the business and economics school of NOVA University Lisbon, estimated that around 301,000 children were living in poverty in Portugal in 2024.
The at-risk-of-poverty rate for children up to 17 years of age remained higher than that observed for the general population, reaching 17.8% back in 2023. In that year, the risk of poverty affected almost a third of people living in single-parent households and about 28% of those in large families.
The President said International Children’s Day should be both a celebration and an opportunity to reflect on the kind of country being built for future generations.
“In recent weeks, we have been confronted with alarming statistics about the reality faced by children in Portugal. We know that some children go hungry; that others are excluded from school, cultural or sporting activities due to a lack of resources; that many grow up in environments marked by poverty, neglect, violence or social exclusion; and that some are victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence,” he said.
Seguro emphasised that “behind each of these cases is a face, a childhood forced to confront adversity far too early”, adding that “dreams fade, talents remain undiscovered, and opportunities narrow when they should be opening up to the world”.
“The way we protect our children is one of the most demanding tests of our humanity and our democratic maturity. When a child’s future is limited by the circumstances into which they are born, it is the country itself that fails in its duty to guarantee dignity, equal opportunities and hope,” he argued.
The President acknowledged that “Portugal has made significant progress in promoting children’s rights” and noted that implementation of the National Strategy for the Rights of Children and Young People 2025–2035 is now under way. Describing it as an important instrument for a more integrated and effective public response, he nevertheless maintained that “no strategy will achieve the desired results in public policy without the active commitment of society as a whole”.
Seguro said it was essential to “guarantee every child the right to keep dreaming”, whilst paying particular attention to those in more vulnerable situations, including children living in poverty, those with disabilities or chronic illnesses, members of minority communities, and those exposed to violence, neglect, or the risks associated with the digital environment.
“Protecting childhood is not simply about responding to present vulnerabilities. It is about keeping the flame of hope alive. It is about ensuring that every child has the space to grow freely, discover their talents and nurture the dreams that will shape the country of tomorrow,” he said.
In the closing section of his message, Seguro urged adults to take inspiration from children, encouraging them “to look at others with greater humanity, to recognise difference as a source of richness rather than a threat, and to build a society that is fairer, freer, more humane and more supportive”, adding that “no child is born hating, discriminating or excluding”.
The President concluded by wishing all children and their families “a happy International Children’s Day”.
Source: LUSA
