Overview
- UNICEF and the Deutsches Jugendinstitut report that roughly nine percent of under‑18s lack basics such as a place to study, full meals, adequate heating or a second pair of shoes.
- Learning and health indicators have worsened, with about 25 percent reading poorly versus 20 percent in 2018, over 40 percent struggling with digital skills, and roughly 40 percent reporting frequent complaints.
- Housing strain is pronounced as 44 percent of affected children live in overcrowded homes and at least 130,000 are homeless or in communal accommodation.
- Around 1.9 million children live in families dependent on Bürgergeld, and Germany fares worse on several deprivation measures than Finland, Norway, Portugal and Slovenia.
- UNICEF and child-rights groups urge expanding the Startchancen program and strengthening children’s rights, with support voiced in SPD and Greens circles while critics argue existing constitutional protections suffice and no new policy has been enacted.