Child welfare reports surge in Sweden with parental issues most common concern

A sharp rise in reports of children at risk has been recorded in Sweden, with parental problems cited as the leading cause, according to a new report by the National Board of Health and Welfare.

The agency’s findings, published Wednesday, reveal that around 514,000 concerns about children’s welfare were reported to social services in 2024—a 22 percent increase since 2021 and 55 percent since 2018. Over 233,000 children—more than one in ten—have been the subject of at least one report, with the average number of reports per child rising from 1.8 to 2.2.

“More children are being noticed by their surroundings when there are concerns they may be at risk, which is important,” said Björn Eriksson, director-general of the National Board of Health and Welfare, in a statement. “But we must get better at reaching children earlier, especially the youngest. Early intervention can make a big difference.”

The majority of reports involve issues related to parents or guardians and the home environment. Forty-four percent concern problems with caregivers, while 16 percent involve domestic violence. Thirty percent of reports focus on the child’s own behavior or circumstances.

The increase has been more pronounced in smaller municipalities than in larger ones, with areas facing greater socioeconomic challenges seeing disproportionately higher numbers. Sara Gustavsson Roxell, a unit manager at the agency, noted that factors such as increased awareness of reporting obligations and greater vulnerability among children today may explain the rise.

“We don’t know exactly what lies behind these figures,” she said.

Since January 2026, additional authorities—including the Swedish Enforcement Authority, the Public Employment Service, and the Social Insurance Agency—have been legally required to report concerns about child welfare.