The number of cases involving child welfare concerns in Germany has reached a record high for the third consecutive year, signaling a deepening crisis that demands urgent political and social intervention. Official statistics released Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveal that youth welfare offices identified approximately 72,800 children and adolescents at risk of harm through neglect, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse in 2024. This marks a staggering 31% increase (+17,300 cases) over the past five years, sharply contrasting with the 55,500 cases recorded in 2019, the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rise is not merely a recent phenomenon. Compared to the estimated 67,300 cases for 2023 (following data adjustments), the number of reported cases surged by 8%, or 5,500 individuals, in 2024. The increase becomes even more concerning when measured against the previous year’s reported figures, showing a 14% rise (+9,100 cases).
The data reveals a disturbing trend regarding the age of affected children: over half (52%) were younger than nine, with an alarming one-third (33%) being younger than six. The majority of children – 38% – resided with both parents, while 37% lived with a single parent. A significant minority (14%) lived with a parent in a new partnership, while 10% resided in institutions, with relatives, or in other locations outside of immediate family. Notably, in almost one-third of cases (32%), at least one parent had a foreign birth and their primary language wasn’t German, a factor which warrants further investigation regarding potential cultural or integration-related vulnerabilities.
While 91% of cases saw an agreement for support or protective measures established, the need for judicial intervention by family courts is escalating, indicating resistance from parents unwilling or unable to address the identified risks. The most frequently cited factor underlying these concerns is neglect, accounting for 58% of cases, followed by psychological abuse (37%), physical abuse (28%) and sexual violence (6%). A gendered aspect to the crisis emerges: while neglect and physical abuse disproportionately affect boys, psychological and particularly sexual violence are significantly more prevalent amongst girls.
The overwhelming majority of threats (75%) stem from a parent, while a concerning 4% originate from step-parents or a new partner of a parent. This points to a critical need for extended support networks targeting parental skills and potentially including therapeutic intervention for families experiencing significant challenges. The fact that in approximately 8% of cases the perpetrator remains unknown underscores challenges in identifying risk factors and potential vulnerabilities across wider communities.
The sheer volume of suspected cases is also spiraling, with youth welfare offices evaluating approximately 239,400 risk assessments in 2024 – a 38% increase over five years. This highlights the growing burden on already stretched youth welfare services. While those assessments didn’t confirm a welfare risk in 78,000 cases, they did identify a clear need for support, adding to the demand for resources.
Sources of referrals paint a critical picture. Police and the justice system are increasingly responsible for alerting welfare offices (31%), suggesting a growing recognition of the scope of the problem within law enforcement. However, the relative paucity of self-referrals from children (2%) or parents (7%) speaks to potentially significant barriers in reporting, whether stemming from fear, shame, or a lack of awareness about available support.
The sustained and escalating nature of this crisis necessitates a comprehensive political response. Increased funding for youth welfare services, alongside targeted support programs for at-risk families, focusing on parental education, early intervention for mental health issues and addressing potential barriers to reporting are vital. Further investigation is also warranted to ascertain why referrals from within families remain so low, potentially involving public awareness campaigns and bolstering trust in the welfare system. Without immediate and decisive action, the number of children at risk will continue to rise, with devastating long-term consequences for individuals and German society as a whole.
