Why measurement matters
Children’s wellbeing matters. That is why measuring how children and young people feel about their lives is so important. The success of society depends on how well future generations are. Without consistent measurement, decision makers and those delivering services are left guessing, and too many children’s experiences remain unheard. Better data enables better decisions, improving lives.
What do we mean by measuring children’s wellbeing?
What do we mean by measuring children’s wellbeing?
Measuring children’s wellbeing is about understanding how they truly feel about their lives. It’s about capturing their happiness, hopes and worries. It’s like asking someone how they’re doing – but really listening and acting on that information.
What do we mean by measuring children’s wellbeing?
Crucially, children’s wellbeing cannot be understood solely through adult perspectives or indirect measures like grades or school attendance. The most reliable way is to simply ask children and young people directly. Only by listening to what young people tell us can we begin to understand the reasons they feel a certain way and address this through policy, service and system change.
We co-lead Our Wellbeing, Our Voice – a group of more than 60 organisations campaigning for a national wellbeing measurement programme in England.
What measurement tells us about children’s lives today
Evidence from the Good Childhood research programme, alongside national and international data, presents a stark warning. This research has deepened understanding of children’s wellbeing. It’s time for a national programme to take over and provide greater breadth and depth – vital to informed decision making.
Our research shows children’s wellbeing in the UK is declining. Too many experience low wellbeing, and the UK consistently ranks poorly internationally. Large numbers report low happiness and a drop in life satisfaction, with particularly concerning trends among girls.
Analysis reveals key themes showing that:
- children’s subjective wellbeing has been falling
- an important proportion of children experience low wellbeing
- online life and social media play a complex role in children’s wellbeing
- on average, girls are less happy than boys
- school and appearance are the areas of life children are most commonly unhappy with.
This insight is powerful, but its true potential lies in nationwide application, directly informing services and policies and helping us understand the experiences of different groups of young people.
Why national measurement is needed
Why national measurement is needed
The case for national measurement is clear. Without a shared framework, data remains fragmented, gaps persist, and children’s wellbeing is too easily side-lined.
A national programme would:
Why national measurement is needed
- enable regular, consistent listening to children and young people at scale
- support analysis of how wellbeing differs by age, gender, background and location
- allow local and national data to be shared to inform policy and practice
- enable rigorous monitoring of progress and whether interventions are working.
From insight to action: listening to children and young people
In The Good Childhood Report 2025, we show how essential it is that children and young people are involved at every stage of developing solutions – from design to delivery and evaluation.
Bringing together insights from children, young people, and professionals, these conversations reinforce a vital truth: children and young people are not just subjects of research; they are experts in their own lives. The Government must listen to what young people are telling us.
Why measurement matters
Measurement matters because children’s voices matter.
Only by consistently listening to children and young people can national and local Government understand their experiences, act on identified issues, and implement solutions that remove barriers and create opportunity.
A national wellbeing measurement programme would provide the insight, accountability and ambition needed to ensure every child has the chance to thrive – now and in the future.
