UK teens world's worst drunks

Britain has the biggest drink problem among 13-year-olds in the Western world, according to a major study on child wellbeing published today.

The figures show 21 per cent of 13-year-old boys and 20 per cent of teenage girls admit to being drunk at least twice in a year.

The international average was 9 and 7 per cent.

Denmark and Finland also had high rates.

The US, with its tougher drinking laws, was the most sober nation.

The "Doing Better for Children" study, by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, also found that children in the UK were less likely to get out of the poverty trap than in other countries.

On teenage pregnancies, the UK had the fourth highest with 24.8 girls in every 1,000 falling pregnant.

Turkey was the highest at 66.8 per cent and the international average was 15.5 per cent.

- THE INDEPENDENT