Germany child protection cases fall 18% in 2025

In 2025, German youth welfare offices took approximately 56,900 children and adolescents into protective custody, marking an 18% decrease from the previous year. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), this represents a significant downward trend; the number of cases has fallen by roughly 24% over the last two years after peaking in 2023.

The decline is largely attributed to a nearly 47% drop in protective measures taken for unaccompanied minor migrants, which fell from approximately 30,800 to 16,500 cases. Conversely, cases involving self-reporting rose by about 9%, and urgent threats to child welfare increased by 3%.

At the regional level, the Unterallgäu district is facing increasing complexity in child welfare cases. Local officials report difficulties managing 'system breakers'—children with such severe behavioral challenges that they are difficult to place in traditional homes or facilities. To address the shortage of available care and the need for 24/7 availability, the district plans to establish specialized 'emergency custody families' to provide immediate, round-the-clock support for children under twelve.