New Delhi, May 15 -- Children in many of the world's wealthiest and developed countries saw a marked decline in their academic performance, mental wellbeing, and physical health in the period since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by UNICEF.

The report, titled Report Card 19: Child Wellbeing in an Unpredictable World, compared data from 2018 and 2022, offering a perspective on how the COVID-19 pandemic and global shutdowns affected children in 43 OECD and EU countries.

Children were pushed behind academically between seven months and one year, on average, according to the report, as a result of school shutdown between three and 12 months, which forced many kids to learn remotely. Those from disadvantaged fa...