the number of children at risk of harm has reached a record high for the third consecutive year.. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), nearly 72,800 children and adolescents were identified as facing potential dangers linked to neglect, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse in 2024. This represents a staggering 31% increase over five years, equating to an additional 17,300 cases since 2019, a period dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The persistent upward trend is amplified when compared to 2023 figures, initially estimated at 67,300 based on incomplete data. The 2024 figures demonstrate an 8% increase over this estimate and a considerable 14% jump compared to the officially reported 2023 numbers, indicating a deepening crisis within family structures.
The youngest children are disproportionately affected, with over half (52%) of those at risk being under nine years old and one-third being younger than six. While most children live with both parents, or a single parent, a significant proportion reside in restructured family settings, such as those with a stepparent or in out-of-home care. Notably, a third of at-risk children have parents born outside of Germany, with German not being the primary language spoken at home, adding complexity to the challenges faced by child protection services.
While authorities manage to initiate assistance or protective measures in almost all (91%) cases, the escalating number of referrals to family courts – triggered when parents are unwilling or incapable of removing the threat to their child – highlights a concerning level of dysfunction and potential resistance to intervention. The primary concern identified in these cases is neglect (58%), followed by psychological abuse (37%), physical abuse (28%) and sexual violence (6%). Alarmingly, girls are significantly more likely to be victims of sexual abuse.
The vast majority of risk stems from a parent (75%), with stepparents or new partners representing a smaller, but still notable, proportion. The reliance on referrals from police, justice and increasingly the general public underscores a potential strain on preventative services and reinforces the reactive nature of current child protection strategies. The low percentage of referrals originating from within the families themselves – particularly from the children themselves – points to a significant barrier in fostering trust and encouraging early intervention.
The rapid increase in suspected endangerment cases, now at a record high of 239,400 assessed in 2024, far outstrips the growth in officially identified risks, suggesting a potential underfunding of resources needed to conduct thorough investigations and provide adequate support. Critics argue the trend exposes systemic failures in social support programs, early intervention initiatives and the broader societal framework designed to safeguard vulnerable children, demanding a fundamental reassessment of Germany’s child protection infrastructure.