Government Official Plakolm Overseeing Family Affairs Focuses on Social Safety, Quality Care, and Professional Development

In a recent study presented by Family Minister Claudia Plakolm and Wolfgang Mazal, director of the Austrian Institute for Family Research, on June 10th, the situation of children and youth in Austria was thoroughly examined. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Data Project Group of the Children's Rights Board, the Austrian League for Child and Youth Health (Kinderliga), the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), and the Data Project Group of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Section Family and Youth, offers valuable insights into various aspects of childhood and adolescence in the country.

One of the key findings is the allocation of resources. Currently, the most significant financial support goes towards family allowance (3.9 billion euros) and elementary pedagogy (3.3 billion euros). The federal government is committed to financially supporting families with children, as evident in the nearly 4 billion euros allocated to family allowance.

The number of children and youth under the age of 18 living in Austria in 2023 was approximately 1.577,703. Among these, 356,598 were students aged 6 to under 10 at the start of the school year. The demographic landscape has shifted over the years, with the proportion of students in (New) Middle Schools decreasing from 61% in 2010 to 56% in 2023, while that in a special school increased from 32% to 35% in the same period.

The study also shed light on the digital habits of the younger generation. Since 2015, almost all 16- to 19-year-olds regularly use the internet. The report also highlighted the importance of addressing online safety, particularly in the context of the rising number of recorded offenses in the area of pictorial sexual child abuse material and pictorial sexual depictions of minors. This figure increased significantly from 465 recorded offenses in 2013 to 2,245 recorded offenses in 2023.

However, it's important to note that the unreported dark figure must be considered in the actual case numbers. The trend for 3- to under-6-year-olds has since stabilized at a high level, with the kindergarten attendance rate for children under 3 years old rising from 4.6% in 1995 to around 33% in 2023, and for children aged 3 to 6, it has risen from 70.6% (1995) to 94%.

The study also addressed the issue of child abuse, revealing that 8 out of 10 cases occur within the family. The number of reported cases has risen from 465 to 2,245 in 10 years, with a reporting rate of over 90%. Despite these concerning figures, the clearance rate for recorded cases has been over 85% since 2015.

The report also highlighted Austria's commitment to children's rights, as a signatory of the -Children's Rights Convention. The federal government is committed to continuing efforts to provide children and young people with a good future perspective. The study, presented by Kinderliga as a leading partner, aims to facilitate dialogue on youth mental health issues and foster a better understanding of the challenges faced by children and youth in Austria.

Lastly, the study revealed an encouraging trend in the infant mortality rate, which fell from 6.64% in 1950 to 0.25% in 2022. Additionally, the number of deaths of under-18s decreased from 4,220 in 1970 to 409 in 2023. Funding for support systems has also increased significantly over the years, with a total of 12.4 billion euros allocated in 2023, compared to 2.5 billion euros in 1980.

This comprehensive study offers a valuable snapshot of the state of children and youth in Austria, highlighting areas of concern and progress, and providing a foundation for continued efforts to support and protect the next generation.