Germany reports record high in child welfare endangerment cases

child welfare youth welfare offices child protection neglect Germany statistics

Child welfare endangerment cases in Germany have reached a new record high for the fourth consecutive year. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), youth welfare offices identified approximately 79,800 cases of neglect, psychological, physical, or sexual violence involving children and adolescents in 2025.

This figure represents a ten percent increase compared to 2024. Since the beginning of data collection in 2012, the number of reported cases has more than doubled. Experts suggest the rise may be driven by an actual increase in incidents, as well as improved professional training, increased vigilance, and higher reporting rates among the public.

Neglect was the most frequently identified form of endangerment, accounting for 58 percent of cases. Psychological abuse was noted in 38 percent, physical abuse in 29 percent, and sexual violence in 5 percent. Approximately 25 percent of affected children showed signs of multiple types of endangerment.

Demographically, 51 percent of the affected children were eight years old or younger, with an average age of 8.5 years. In 74 percent of the cases, the danger originated primarily or exclusively from a parent.

Entities

Germany · Statistisches Bundesamt

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Child welfare endangerment cases have more than doubled since data collection began in 2012. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.faz.net
[● 2 SOURCES] In 74 percent of cases, the endangerment originated primarily or exclusively from a parent. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.faz.net
[● 3 SOURCES] Fifty-one percent of the affected children were eight years old or younger. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.faz.net
[● 3 SOURCES] The number of cases in 2025 was ten percent higher than in 2024. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.faz.net
[● 2 SOURCES] One quarter of the affected children showed signs of multiple types of endangerment. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.faz.net
[● 3 SOURCES] The number of child welfare endangerment cases in Germany reached a new high in 2025. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.faz.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Neglect was the most common form of endangerment, identified in 58 percent of cases. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.faz.net
[● 3 SOURCES] Youth welfare offices identified approximately 79,800 cases of child welfare endangerment in 2025. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.faz.net