Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys 2014 (MICS 5) reveal limited progress for children and women in Serbia : Inclusion

mics5 The results of the 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS 5) show little progress for children and women in Serbia compared to the previous data from 2010, and widening equity gaps between the general population and particularly vulnerable groups.

“This year, we carried out two MICS surveys in the period from 1 February until 30 April 2014. The national sample survey encompassed 7.351 households, while the survey in Roma settlements included 1.976 households,” said the Director of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Dragan Vukmirovic, who emphasised that the response rate for both surveys was approximately 90 percent, making the data robust and reliable.

MICS 5 is the most comprehensive single source of data on the state of women and children in Serbia. This year’s data highlight clearly the need to intensify measures which target the most vulnerable and excluded children and families, in order to improve their living standards and reduce inequalities.

“MICS is an extremely valuable tool for monitoring the status of children and women. Because it is repeated every five years, we can track progress and identify trends – both positive and negative. The 2014 surveys indicate that the situation remains largely unchanged compared to 2010 in most domains. Some areas have improved, but others show deterioration, especially for children and adolescents living in Roma settlements. Across several indicators, there is a clear widening of the equity gap between national averages and the most marginalized children” stated Mr. Michel Saint-Lot, UNICEF Serbia Representative.

Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey 2014 (MICS 5) – Key Findings (PDF) < click here to download

Selected Key Findings:

There has been no notable progress in the areas of child health and nutrition and gaps between the general population and those in Roma settlements remain significant.

Child mortality: The mortality of infants in Roma settlements is still twice the national average – 13 per thousand live births versus 6 per thousand live births in the general population, and 14 per thousand live births versus 7 per thousand live births for children under the age of 5.
Vaccination: 81% of children in the general population received all vaccinations recommended in the national immunization calendar by their third birthday, while this is the case for fewer than half of children in Roma settlements (44%). However, only 66% of children in the general population and 9% in Roma settlements were fully immunized within the prescribed timeframe (Full vaccination includes the following: BCG, Polio3, DPT3, HepB3, Hib3 by 2 months of age and Measles (MMR1) by 24 months of age).
Breastfeeding and infant feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding of infants until 6 months is still very low (13%) for both children from the general population and Roma settlements. The percentage of babies who are predominantly breastfed (mother’s milk is the main type of nutrition) is higher (47% in general population and 61% for children in Roma settlements), but still points to the fact that half of all babies in Serbia are not adequately fed
Minimum dietary diversity: 84% of children in the general population and only 43% of children in Roma settlements consume meals which include foods from four or more food groups, which is considered the minimum dietary diversity for healthy growth and development. Sub-optimal dietary intake impacts children’s overall nutritional status – as can be seen in the case of children under 5 years in Roma settlements, where 19% are stunted (too short for their age).

Data about Early Childhood Development and Learning for young children indicate limited progress, gender disparities, and worrying regression for the most vulnerable groups of children.

Preschool education: Coverage of children aged 3 to 5 years by preschool education has increased in the general population compared to 2010 – rising from 44% to 50%; however preschool coverage of children from the poorest households decreased from 22% to only 9%. Roma continue to be left out, with only 6% of children living in Roma settlements attending preschool.
Involvement of adults: Children’s early development relies significantly on the involvement of both mothers and fathers in activities that support learning. Amongst the general population, 90% of mothers regularly engage in learning activities with their 3-5 year old children, while the same is true for only 37% of fathers.
Accessibility of books for children: The proportion of children under the age of 5 that have access to three or more children’s books at home has remained similar (72%). Of concern, however, is that in Roma settlements this percentage has gone down since 2010, from 25% to 12%.

Education data reveal little change and continuing disparities.

Primary education: 97% of school-aged children in the general population enrol in the first grade. However, for school-aged children in Roma settlements, enrolment drops to 69%. Disparities continue throughout the school years, with 93% of children from the general population completing primary education compared to only 64% of children from Roma settlements.
Secondary education: Secondary education indicators have remained stagnant. 89% of the secondary-school aged adolescents among the general population attend secondary school, while this is the case for only 22% of adolescents from Roma settlements. For girls from Roma settlements, the situation is far worse, with only 15% of them attending secondary school.

Child Protection data show selected progress, particularly as concerns the violent disciplining of children.

Early marriage: The high rate of early marriage among girls living in Roma settlements continues to constrain their life choices. As many as 17% of these girls were married before the age of 15, and 57% were married before turning 18. Likewise, early childbearing before age 18 – which occurs among 38% of girls in Roma settlements – creates additional challenges to their health and education.
Disciplining of children: There seems to be some progress and improved understanding that children should not be disciplined through violent means. Since 2010, the percentage of children between 1 and 14 years who experienced psychological aggression or physical punishment has gone down, from 67% to 43% percent in the general population, and from 86% to 66% in Roma settlements.

About MICS

The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is an international research programme developed by UNICEF, in collaboration with other UN agencies, and is carried out every five years in more than 100 countries around the world in order to ensure international comparability, continuity of research and time series data. MICS is collecting data about children’s health, development, education, protection and general well-being, as well as data about women’s reproductive health. The data collected through this round of MICS will inform the preparation of the final report of the UN Secretary General on the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.

In Serbia, MICS data have contributed to the development of national policies, plans and programmes and to the monitoring of progress in their implementation.