UNICEF highlights child welfare and education issues in Hungary

UNICEF Hungary has raised critical concerns regarding child welfare, educational inequality, and mental health during preparatory consultations in Geneva for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The review, scheduled for November 2 to 13, will assess Hungary's human rights performance.

Regarding child welfare, approximately 21,212 children are currently in alternative care. Experts estimate that roughly 7,000 of these children cannot live with their families primarily due to poverty or a lack of necessary support services. The organization also highlighted a placement crisis, noting that in April 2026, 325 infants and young children were living in hospitals, 75 percent of whom no longer required medical hospitalization.

In the education sector, UNICEF pointed to significant disparities affecting Roma students. Data indicates that over 115,000 children with special educational needs are in the Hungarian system. In Heves county, Roma children are diagnosed with mild intellectual disabilities at twice the rate of their non-Roma peers. Furthermore, only 43 percent of Roma students complete upper secondary education, compared to 87 percent of the general population.

Additionally, the organization reported that one in five children in state care has experienced abuse, and 38 percent of guardians reported knowledge of at least one instance of sexual exploitation involving children in care.