German youth welfare offices (Jugendämter) took protective custody of approximately 69,500 children and adolescents in 2024, a decrease of roughly 5,100 cases compared to the previous year, representing a 7% reduction. This marks the first year the number of protective measures has declined after three consecutive years of increases, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
The decrease is largely attributable to a significant drop in the number of unaccompanied minors entering the country, falling by approximately 8,500 cases – a 22% reduction. However, increases were observed in cases involving imminent threats to child welfare, rising by 2,600 (+10%) and in instances where children and adolescents initiated contact with the youth welfare office seeking assistance (+850 cases, +10%).
Despite the overall decline, unaccompanied arrivals continue to be a significant factor, accounting for 44% of all protective measures. This includes preliminary custody arrangements (24%) initiated immediately upon arrival and regular custody measures (20%) which typically follow a nationwide distribution process. A further 42% of protective measures were implemented due to imminent threats to child welfare and 13% stemmed from self-initiated contact.
Beyond unaccompanied arrivals, common triggers for protective measures in 2024 included parental overburden (25%), neglect (12%), physical abuse (11%) and psychological abuse (8%).
While unaccompanied arrivals contributed to the drop in overall numbers, several areas of concern saw increases. Notably, reports of physical abuse rose by 1,026 cases, neglect by 939, parental overburden by 896 and psychological abuse by 843. Multiple factors could be cited for a single case.
During protective custody, approximately 77% of those involved were housed in facilities, while 23% were placed with suitable individuals or in supported living arrangements. While nearly one-third (30%) of cases were resolved in under a week, 21% lasted for three months or longer. The average duration of a protective measure was 62 days, or roughly two months.
Resolutions following self-initiated contact were generally quicker, averaging just 36 days. Cases involving threats to child welfare took longer, averaging 57 days, while those related to unaccompanied arrivals from abroad had the longest durations, averaging 74 days.
The average duration of protective measures increased by 12 days, or almost two weeks, compared to the previous year. This increase was more pronounced for unaccompanied arrivals, extending by 23 days.
Following protective custody, approximately a quarter (24%) of children and adolescents returned to their previous residence. A further 45% were placed in a new location, most commonly in a residential home, supported living group, or similar facility. Roughly 10% of cases were taken over by another youth welfare office; a similar proportion ended due to the individual child or adolescent leaving the protective measure.
