Hungary child protection system faces structural collapse by 2026

A new government report titled ‘Diagnosis’ warns that the Hungarian child protection system is approaching a point of structural collapse by 2026. The 220-page report was compiled following interviews with approximately 500 professionals and individuals currently in aftercare services.

Workers within the system report severe challenges, including a shortage of specialists, insufficient placement capacity, and a lack of adequate services. Professionals noted that the system often focuses on choosing the ‘lesser of two evils’ rather than prioritizing the best interests of the child. Issues such as declining mental health among children and poor living conditions in institutional settings were highlighted.

Szilvia Gyurkó, State Secretary for Child Law and Child Protection, noted that approximately 23,000 to 24,000 children in Hungary are currently in professional care. This represents 1.4 percent of the child population, which is significantly higher than the European average of 0.6 to 0.8 percent. The report suggests that improved family support and preventive services could reduce the number of children removed from their homes.