Zagreb study reveals high rates of hunger among high school students

A study conducted for the City of Zagreb, titled ‘Well-being and Needs of School-Age Children in the City of Zagreb’, has revealed significant nutritional deficits among students. The research shows that only 60.9% of high school students eat during the school day, while 42.8% report feeling hungry frequently or every day.

The lack of systematically organized school meals in secondary schools is identified as a structural deficit with negative consequences for student health, concentration, and educational outcomes. There is a broad consensus among high school students regarding the need for free school meals.

The study, based on a survey of 3,786 students and interviews with families of limited material resources, also highlights links between material status and well-being. Approximately 7.4% of students perceive their families to be in a worse financial position than their peers, and up to 10% of children have unmet basic or developmental needs.

In response to these findings, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević announced the development of the city's first action plan for combating child poverty, covering the period from 2027 to 2030.