Romania sees 1,000 annual child abuse reports in Timiș and rising infant mortality rates

In Timiș County, authorities recorded nearly 1,000 cases of child abuse and neglect each year. In the first five months of the current year, 468 reports were received, of which 412 were confirmed, encompassing severe neglect as well as sexual, physical and emotional abuse. The county’s emergency services placed 118 children in urgent care, and outreach teams visit schools to inform students about rights and reporting procedures. A 24/7 hotline (119) and a new digital alert system called “Next Generation 119” have been introduced to improve rapid response.

A separate study highlighted a worsening infant mortality trend in Romania, with the rate climbing to 6.6 per 1,000 live births in 2024, the highest level in a decade. Buzău County recorded 6.5 per 1,000, slightly below the national average, while several other counties reported rates above 10 per 1,000. Vaccination coverage remains low, with only 47.4% of infants receiving the first dose of the MMR vaccine nationwide; regional rates vary from 23.7% in Argeș to 73.8% in Bihor. The report also noted that 19% of Romania’s population are children, with high levels of poverty and a significant share of births to mothers under 15 years old, who face increased health risks.