Statistics on reports of concern to social services: children, causes and outcomes

[[HTMLTAG0]]] This article collects [[HTMLTAG1]] official statistics [[HTMLTAG2]]] on reports of concern to social services. The figures help you put an individual case in perspective: most notifications do not lead to coercion, but the pressure on the system has increased sharply. [[HTMLTAG3]]] [[HTMLTAG4]]] Interactive graphs can be found on the [[HTMLTAG5]] statistics page [[HTMLTAG6]] (filter on Social Services). Other guides: [[HTMLTAG7]]] concern notification children [[HTMLTAG8]] and [[HTMLTAG9]]] SUN investigation [[HTMLTAG10]]]. [[HTMLTAG11]]] [[HTMLTAG12]]] [[HTMLTAG13]]] [[HTMLTAG14]] Statistics in perspective: [[HTMLTAG15]] In 2024, about 233,000 children were affected by at least one concern report, representing 10.8% of children 0-17 years old. This does not mean that the child is being taken into care or that the notification is proven. Approximately 54% of the reports were handled in an investigation; the rest are often terminated after prior assessment or other handling. [[HTMLTAG16]]] /aside > [[HTMLTAG17]]] Concern reports over time [[HTMLTAG18]]] [[HTMLTAG19]]] The number of concern reports has increased significantly: [[HTMLTAG20]]] [[HTMLTAG21]]] [[HTMLTAG22]]] [[HTMLTAG23]] 2018: [[HTMLTAG24]]] about 331,000 [[HTMLTAG25]]] [[HTMLTAG26]]] [[HTMLTAG27]] 2021: [[HTMLTAG28]]] about 422,000 [[HTMLTAG29]]] [[HTMLTAG30]]] [[HTMLTAG31]] 2024: [[HTMLTAG32]]] about 514,000 (+55% since 2018) [[HTMLTAG33]]] [[HTMLTAG34]]] [[HTMLTAG35]]] Source: Swedish National Board of Social Welfare survey and press materials 2024-2025. [[HTMLTAG36]]] [[HTMLTAG37]]] Affected children [[HTMLTAG38]]] [[HTMLTAG39]]] [[HTMLTAG40]]] [[HTMLTAG41]] 2021: [[HTMLTAG42]]] about 216,000 children affected [[HTMLTAG43]]] [[HTMLTAG44]]] [[HTMLTAG45]] 2024: [[HTMLTAG46]]] about 233,000 children affected [[HTMLTAG47]]] [[HTMLTAG48]]] [[HTMLTAG49]] 2024: [[HTMLTAG50]] 10.8% of all children 0-17 years were affected by at least one concern report in the year [[HTMLTAG51]]] [[HTMLTAG52]]] [[HTMLTAG53]]] This does not mean that 10.8% received forced care. This means that a notification was recorded that concerned the child. [[HTMLTAG54]]] [[HTMLTAG55]]] Causes 2024 (distribution) [[HTMLTAG56]]] [[HTMLTAG57]]] [[HTMLTAG58]]] [[HTMLTAG59]] 44% [[HTMLTAG60]]] parent or guardian issues (e.g. abuse, mental illness) [[HTMLTAG61]]] [[HTMLTAG62]]] [[HTMLTAG63]] 16% [[HTMLTAG64]]] intimate relationship violence [[HTMLTAG65]]] [[HTMLTAG66]]] [[HTMLTAG67]] 30% [[HTMLTAG68]]] child-related (child's health, behavior, schooling, etc.) [[HTMLTAG69]]] [[HTMLTAG70]]] [[HTMLTAG71]]] Other categories may overlap in reporting. See the Board of Health and Welfare's full report for methodology. [[HTMLTAG72]]] [[HTMLTAG73]]] From notification to investigation and operation [[HTMLTAG74]]] [[HTMLTAG75]]] Approximately [[HTMLTAG76]] 54% of [[HTMLTAG77]]] reports of concern were handled in investigations according to the municipalities' reporting in the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's survey. The remainder is often terminated after prior assessment or with other management. [[HTMLTAG78]]] [[HTMLTAG79]]] Consider a simple comparison: [[HTMLTAG80]]] [[HTMLTAG81]]] [[HTMLTAG82]]] About [[HTMLTAG83]]] 514,000 [[HTMLTAG84]]] concern notifications in 2024 [[HTMLTAG85]]] [[HTMLTAG86]]] About [[HTMLTAG87]]] 233,000 [[HTMLTAG88]]] children affected [[HTMLTAG89]]] [[HTMLTAG90]]] About [[HTMLTAG91]]] 26,300 [[HTMLTAG92]] children and adolescents in 24 hours in 2024 [[HTMLTAG93]]] [[HTMLTAG94]]] Of round-the-clock care: approximately [[HTMLTAG95]]] two-thirds [[HTMLTAG96]]] in voluntary form [[HTMLTAG97]]]] [[HTMLTAG98]]] [[HTMLTAG99]] Thus, many families face investigation and open interventions without placement. At the same time, the figures show that the system handles very large volumes, which can affect quality and deadlines (the JO has criticised delayed investigations). [[HTMLTAG100]]] [[HTMLTAG101]]] What statistics mean for you as a parent [[HTMLTAG102]]] [[HTMLTAG103]]] [[HTMLTAG104]]] [[HTMLTAG105]]] You are not alone [[HTMLTAG106]]] if you received a letter or call after registration. Many cases are closed without intervention. [[HTMLTAG107]]] [[HTMLTAG108]]] [[HTMLTAG109]] Investigation is common [[HTMLTAG110]] but not the same as handling. [[HTMLTAG111]]] [[HTMLTAG112]]] [[HTMLTAG113]] Documentation matters [[HTMLTAG114]] when the volume is high: written timelines, corrections and follow-up protect you if the processing becomes summary. [[HTMLTAG115]]] [[HTMLTAG116]]] [[HTMLTAG117]] The children's perspective [[HTMLTAG118]] is statutory even when statistics show that the reasons are often formulated around parental problems. [[HTMLTAG119]]] [[HTMLTAG120]]] [[HTMLTAG121]]] Related Guides [[HTMLTAG122]]] [[HTMLTAG123]]] [[HTMLTAG124]]] [[HTMLTAG125]] Scenarios and questions about parental concern [[HTMLTAG126]]]] [[HTMLTAG127]]] [[HTMLTAG128]]] [[HTMLTAG129]]] Respond to the notification objectively [[HTMLTAG130]]] [[HTMLTAG131]]] [[HTMLTAG132]]] [[HTMLTAG133]]] Home visit [[HTMLTAG134]]] [[HTMLTAG135]]] [[HTMLTAG136]]] [[HTMLTAG137]]] Concern Report Adult [[HTMLTAG138]]] [[HTMLTAG139]]] [[HTMLTAG140]]] [[HTMLTAG141]]] View the graphs [[HTMLTAG142]]] [[HTMLTAG143]]] At [[HTMLTAG144]] neumanjuridik.com/statistics [[HTMLTAG145]]] there are trend lines, causal attribution and comparison between notifications and 24-hour care. The data will be updated when the National Board of Health and Welfare publishes new years. [[HTMLTAG146]]] [[HTMLTAG147]]] Sources [[HTMLTAG148]]] [[HTMLTAG149]]] [[HTMLTAG150]]] [[HTMLTAG151]]] Board of Health and Welfare: Concern reports are increasing [[HTMLTAG152]]] [[HTMLTAG153]]] [[HTMLTAG154]]] [[HTMLTAG155]]] National Board of Health and Welfare: Heldgygnsvård [[HTMLTAG156]]] [[HTMLTAG157]]] [[HTMLTAG158]]] [[HTMLTAG159]]] Board of Health and Welfare: Children and Young People [[HTMLTAG160]]] [[HTMLTAG161]]] [[HTMLTAG162]]]