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Mongolia is 70th<\/sup>\u00a0in a global ranking of the best and worst countries for children to grow up in, putting it well behind neighbouring China and Russia, as well as nearby Kazakhstan, a new report from Save the Children reveals.<\/p>\n The mid-table position comes after two consecutive dzud winters that affected hundreds of thousands of Mongolia\u2019s herders and at a time when the economy is struggling to recover from a decline in the mining sector. Launched to coincide with International Children’s Day, Stolen Childhoods examines countries on eight different indicators related to childhood. Notably in Mongolia, the report found that more than 10 percent of children suffer stunting and at least 15 percent are in the workforce. \u201cIt is concerning to see so many children going to work instead of school, while stunting and malnutrition is also a significant concern,\u201d Save the Children Country Director in Mongolia, Mitsuaki Toyoda said.<\/p>\n Having a safe and happy childhood is every child\u2019s right, no matter where they are in the world. Here in Mongolia we need to do much more to ensure this right is protected.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cThe dzud in particular has had an enormous impact on the children of herders, and their ability to experience full childhoods. Many have been unable to go school because they need to help their families during these challenging times, while access to quality food has also been impacted.\u201d<\/p>\n The report\u2019s index of\u00a0172\u00a0countries ranked neighbouring Russia as the 37th<\/sup>\u00a0best country for children to experience childhood, with China coming in 41st. Nearby Kazakhstan ranked 40th, Kyrgyzstan 91st and Tajikistan 94th<\/sup>. Meanwhile Norway and Slovenia topped the index, with Niger ranking last.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2015, the world made a promise that by 2030, all children\u00a0be\u00a0would be in school, protected, and healthy, regardless of who they are, and where they live. Although this is an ambitious target, it’s within reach if governments invest in all\u00a0children to guarantee they have the full childhood they deserve,\u201d Mr Toyoda said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is unacceptable that in 2017, millions of children around the world still do not have their\u00a0right to be safe, learn, grow and play. Mongolia has performed adequately when it comes to giving children a safe and happy childhood, however adequate isn\u2019t enough. We can and we must do better than this.\u201d<\/p>\n Globally, Stolen Childhoods found that at least 700 million children\u00a0\u2013 and possibly\u00a0hundreds of millions more \u2013 have had the promise of a full childhood brought to an early end. The report also found that:<\/p>\n\n