Overview
- Youth welfare offices confirmed roughly 72,800 endangerments in 2024, the highest on record and up about 31% since 2019.
- Compared with 2023, cases rose about 8% versus Destatis’ estimate of 67,300 and 14% versus the 63,700 reports filed that year.
- Authorities conducted about 239,400 preliminary risk assessments in 2024, a five-year increase of 38% that signals growing caseload pressure.
- Indications of neglect were found in 58% of cases, psychological abuse in 37%, physical abuse in 28% and sexual violence in 6%, with affected children averaging 8.3 years of age and about half younger than nine.
- In 75% of cases the danger originated mainly from a parent, 91% led to agreed help or protection, family courts were involved in 18%, and most referrals came from police or justice (31%) and the public (21%).