Significantly fewer children and young people in care

Germany's youth welfare offices reported a significant decline in the number of children and teenagers placed under their care last year, according to data released Monday by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. A total of approximately 56,900 minors were temporarily taken into protective custody in 2025, marking an 18 percent drop compared to the previous year. This follows a seven percent decrease in such placements in 2024, bringing the overall reduction over two years to nearly one-quarter. The numbers had risen steadily for three consecutive years before reaching close to 75,000 cases. The fluctuating figures are largely attributed to changes in the influx of unaccompanied minors arriving from abroad. The current downward trend is explained by a decline in both provisional and regular placements related to these arrivals. Within a single year, the number of cases linked to unaccompanied minors dropped sharply from around 30,800 to just under 16,500. According to the Federal Statistical Office, almost half of all protective measures in 2025–53 percent, were due to urgent threats to the well-being of children. In 29 percent of cases, the reason was an unaccompanied arrival, while 18 percent involved minors voluntarily reporting themselves to child protection services. Most affected individuals were already teenagers aged 14 and older, with nearly two-fifths being children under 14. One in five minors had run away from home, and roughly the same proportion were found in environments deemed harmful to youth. The primary causes for placing children and adolescents under protective custody included parental overload (32 percent), unaccompanied arrivals (29 percent), neglect (16 percent), physical abuse (15 percent), and psychological abuse (11 percent). These reasons often occurred in combination. During a so-called protective custody placement, youth welfare offices are required to ensure the well-being of the child or teenager and can take necessary legal actions, including submitting asylum applications. The data highlights a complex interplay of factors influencing the number of children in protective custody. While the decline in unaccompanied minors has contributed significantly to the drop, other issues such as parental stress and neglect remain prominent concerns. The statistics reflect broader societal challenges, including the pressures faced by families and the need for adequate support systems. Experts suggest that the reduced number of unaccompanied minors entering Germany could be due to various factors, including stricter border controls, improved conditions in countries of origin, or shifts in migration patterns. However, the underlying causes of child endangerment persist, requiring ongoing attention from policymakers and social workers. The Federal Statistical Office’s findings underscore the dynamic nature of child protection efforts in Germany. While the immediate threat posed by unaccompanied minors appears to have diminished, the root causes of child endangerment continue to evolve. Social services must adapt to new challenges while maintaining robust support for vulnerable children and their families. The data also reveals that a substantial portion of protective placements stem from domestic issues rather than international arrivals. This indicates that local factors, such as family dynamics and community resources, play a crucial role in determining the need for intervention. Addressing these internal challenges will be essential in ensuring the long-term safety and well-being of children in Germany.