Article 27: An adequate standard of living

Convention text

1.

The countries that have signed the Convention must recognise the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, spiritual, mental, moral and social development.

2.

Parents or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility for ensuring, within their abilities and financial means, the living conditions necessary for the child’s development.

3.

These countries must take appropriate measures, as far as possible, to assist parents and carers in realising this right. Where there is a need, the government must provide assistance and support, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing.

4.

These countries must make proper arrangements to ensure that a child receives financial support from parents or others who are responsible for providing it. This applies when parents and child live in the same country, but also when the parents or the child live abroad. If a person who must provide financial support lives in a different country from the child, countries must work together. They must make international agreements or take part in agreements that already exist.

Key point

Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to support their development.

Explanation

A standard of living is about basic needs such as food and drink, housing, clothing, a safe environment and healthcare. It is also about your physical, mental, spiritual, moral (meaning that you understand the standards of good behaviour) and social development. A standard of living that is good enough means that living conditions are sufficient to make all of this possible. For example, a child has enough food and drink and enough opportunities to develop. Parents or carers are the first people responsible for this, but if needed the government must step in. The government may, for example, provide financial support to parents or carers. This is especially important for food and drink, clothing and housing.

Providing support so that people have a place to live (housing) is something that is even mentioned separately in this Article. Housing is therefore very important for overall quality of life. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child also recognises this, partly because the right to housing is linked to almost every other right in the Convention.