Child welfare risks in Germany reach new record high

Child welfare risks in Germany have reached an alarming new record, marking the fourth consecutive year of escalation. In 2025, youth welfare offices identified risks for nearly 79,800 children and adolescents, a significant 10% increase from the previous year. This figure more than doubles the number of cases recorded in 2012, the first year data was collected.

More than half of the affected children were eight years old or younger, with approximately one in four being four years old or younger. The average age of the children involved was 8.5 years. Neglect was the most frequently identified risk, cited in 58% of cases, followed by psychological abuse (38%), physical abuse (29%), and sexual violence (5%). Notably, 25% of the children experienced multiple types of endangerment.

Authorities attribute the rise not only to a potential increase in actual cases but also to heightened vigilance, improved reporting readiness among professionals, enhanced cooperation, and updated legal frameworks. Despite the grim statistics, protective measures or assistance were agreed upon in 91% of the identified risk situations. The number of suspected reports also surged by 12% to a new record of 268,300, with the majority of tips coming from police and judicial authorities, followed by public reports from relatives, neighbors, and anonymous individuals.