BENEFIT OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN DURING THE PERIOD OF ECONOMIC RECESSION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES

U ovom radu obrađena je materija koja se tiče dobrobiti djece predškolske dobi u Republici Hrvatskoj i zemljama članicama Europske Unije, posebno u kontekstu svjetske ekonomske krize koja je dovela do pojave siromaštva u suvremeno doba. Cilj je ovog rada izložiti problematiku dječjeg siromaštva, njegove uzroke i posljedice te posebno razmotriti mjere njegova suzbijanja. Ključni predmet analize politika i mjera suzbijanja dječjeg siromaštva u Republici Hrvatskoj te zemljama članicama Europske Unije čine dječji doplatak te troškovi naknade za funkciju obitelj/djeca u ukupnim socijalnim troškovima. Dječji doplatak analiziran je i prikazan u svim zemljama članicama, pri čemu su primjetne velike razlike između zemalja glede općih uvjeta njegova ostvarivanja te dobi i broja djece, kao i mjesečnog iznosa doplatka. Analiza troškova naknada provedena je prema podacima EUROSTATA za četverogodišnje razdoblje, od 2008. do 2012. godine. Rezultati kod analize troškova naknada pokazali su prisutnost velikih razlika među zemljama, pri čemu je pad udjela naknade zabilježen u čak 23 zemlje članice, među kojima je i Hrvatska s padom od 2,7%, a rast u svega 5 zemalja. Primjetno je kako u većini zemalja članica rizik od siromaštva djece prelazi 20%. Potrebno je uložiti kontinuirane napore na području edukacije, ciljanih naknada, zapošljavanja, predškolskog odgoja, stambenih uvjeta i osvještavanja javnosti kako bi se problem dječjeg siromaštva spriječio ili kako bi se ublažile njegove posljedice.This paper discuss the problem concerning poverty and benefit of preschool children in Croatia and EU member states, especially in the context of the global economic crisis that has led to the creation of poverty in modern times. The aim of this paper is to expose the issue of child poverty, its causes and consequences, and especially to consider measures for suppression. The key subject of analysis of policies and measures to repress child poverty in the Republic of Croatia and EU member states make child benefit and the cost of charge for the function of the family / children in total social costs. Child allowance is analysed and presented in all member states, with the notable big differences between countries, regarding the general conditions of its realisation and the age, the number of children, as well as the monthly amount of the allowance. Cost analysis of the charge was conducted according to Eurostat data for the four-years period, from 2008 to 2012. Results in the analysis of the cost benefits showed the presence of large differences between countries, with the decline in the share of compensation recorded in 23 member countries, including Croatia and with a drop of 2.7% and growth in five countries. It is noticeable that in most member states the risk of child poverty exceeds 20%, There is a need to make continuous efforts in the field of education, targeted programs, employment, preschool education, housing conditions and increasing public awareness so the problem of child poverty can be prevent or to mitigate its consequences