On this page

1. Main trends in the health conditions of young people

2. Main concepts

---

Main trends in the health conditions of young people

Health of children and young people

In Germany, the health of children and young people and the health care available to them can be rated good to very good. These were the findings from parent surveys and studies of children and young people carried out by the Robert Koch Institute (Robert-Koch-Institut) as part of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey, KiGGS). Young people generally rate their own health as good or very good. However, data from the 2024 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates a decline in this positive self-assessment, especially among older adolescents and girls. Overall, most young people continue to perceive themselves as predominantly healthy, however mental and psychosomatic challenges are increasingly taking their toll. The chances of enjoying a life free from disease and health problems are also spread unequally. In particular, children from socially disadvantaged families are exposed to higher health risks. These can be caused by family lifestyle and living conditions. For example, children and young people from disadvantaged families are affected more than average by traffic accidents, various diseases, being overweight and psychological disorders.
Representative studies also show that there are significant problems in Germany as a result of people being overweight and inactive on the one hand, and suffering from eating disorders and malnutrition on the other, as well as a lack of exercise. The data indicates persistently elevated prevalence rates of overweight and obesity following pandemic-related increases. The physical activity study MoMo shows that only a small proportion of children and adolescents meet the recommended daily minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity. This increases the risk that young people in particular will also suffer from health problems.

Latest health surveys and studies

 

Statistics from the Federal Statistics Office

The Federal Statistics Office (Statistisches Bundesamt) regularly collects health data in Germany. The following surveys are of interest with respect to children and young people: Accidents among children and young people (Unfälle bei Kindern und Jugendlichen). In the period between 2010 and 2025, there was a decline in the number of deaths caused by injury among children and young people.

However, accident-related injuries are one of the biggest health hazards for children and young people in Germany and the most frequent cause of death for children from the age of one. In its statistics on causes of death, the Federal Statistics Office shows that over 60% of fatal accidents involving children occur in the home or during leisure time. Around 35% occur in road traffic and less than 5% in places such as child day-care facilities, schools, or they are unknown.

HBSC Study Germany 
The HBSC study (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) is a nationwide, representative school health survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which regularly collects data on the health, health behaviours, mental well-being and social environments of children and adolescents in Germany. The survey covers children aged 11, 13 and 15 years (school years 5, 7 and 9) and is conducted every four years according to international WHO standards, making longitudinal and international comparisons possible. Since 2013/14, the study has been carried out across all 16 federal states, making it fully representative of Germany. Its findings provide a scientific foundation for health promotion, prevention strategies and policy decisions affecting children and adolescents. They are used by federal and state authorities, schools and professional practitioners.

German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey, KiGGS)

The Robert Koch Institute (Robert Koch-Institut, RKI) has conducted the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey, KiGGS) since 1998. The baseline study (2003–2006) was continued in longitudinal follow-ups (KiGGS Wave 1: 2009–2012; KiGGS Wave 2: 2014–2017), which included questionnaires, examinations and tests. Funding was provided by the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) – now the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, BMFTR) – and the RKI; sub-studies were also supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat, MBLEH), the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz, BMUKN) and the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth (Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend, BMBFSFJ). 

In the study German Children's Health Update (Kindergesundheit in Deutschland aktuell, KIDA), the RKI investigated developments in the health status and health behaviours of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on data collected between February 2022 and June 2023. Since 2024, the Health in Germany study series has collected health data continuously across multiple age groups. Over 40,000 individuals aged 16 and older are currently registered in this study, and its data is incorporated into national health reporting on an ongoing basis.

Drawing on findings from studies on child and adolescent health (including KiGGS und KIDA), the RKI is developing a coordinated system for monitoring the health of children and young people across the country through the PINOKIJO project, running from 2025 to 2027. The pilot study aims to establish comprehensive monitoring of child and adolescent health within the study infrastructure.

The results of the study are published on the Robert Koch Institute's website.

Child and Youth Reports

According to Section 84 of Book VIII of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch, SGB VIII), the federal government is obliged to submit a Child and Youth Report to the German parliament (Bundestag) and Federal Council (Bundesrat) in each parliamentary term and to make a statement on this report. An independent commission of experts is appointed to draft these reports.

The 15th Child and Youth Report (Kinder- und Jugendbericht, KJB) from 2017, entitled “Between freedom, family, all-day school and virtual worlds – Personality development and education for young people” (Zwischen Freiräumen, Familie, Ganztagsschule und virtuellen Welten – Persönlichkeitsentwicklung und Bildungsanspruch im Jugendalter), provides a picture of the realities and lives of adolescents and young adults. It examines the circumstances under which young people are growing up, how they are influenced by digitalisation, demographic development and globalisation, and analyses the issues typically faced by this target group. It also covers the issue of young people’s health.

The 16th Child and Youth Report from 2020 focuses on "Supporting democracy education for children and young people" (Förderung demokratischer Bildung im Kindes- und Jugendalter). 

An excursus in the 16th Child and Youth Report discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for young people. The report analyses not only the challenges but also the learning opportunities for political education that arise from the pandemic. The report's commission of experts believes the epidemiological crisis presents numerous opportunities to discuss COVID-related problems and challenges, to gear political education programmes towards these issues and to make systematic use of related educational opportunities.

According to the 17th Child and Youth Report from 2024 (17. KJB von 2024), the health of young people is increasingly affected by psychological stress resulting from academic pressure, financial insecurity, social crises and the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many adolescents report experiencing stress, feelings of overwhelm and anxiety about the future, while support systems such as psychotherapy and youth welfare services are overstretched. Social inequality further exacerbates health risks. Overall, the report identifies mental health as one of the central challenges of growing up today, and underscores the urgent need for structural intervention.

School studies

Studies of student performance also provide health-related data. The PISA 2022 study reveals a marked decline in performance: 15-year-olds in Germany scored the lowest scores in mathematics, reading and natural sciences since 2000. About 30% of adolescents did not even achieve the baseline level of competency in mathematics (compared to an OECD average of 25%), while around 25% fell below the minimum threshold in reading. 

During the COVID-19 school closures, learning conditions deteriorated dramatically. According to an Ifo study, the average daily time spent on school-related activities in Germany fell from an average of 7.4 hours to just 3.6 hours, while daily passive screen time rose sharply to around 5.2 hours. Survey data from OECD countries also indicates that nations with higher-performing school systems experienced less classroom disruption.

Analysis of child and youth medical care

Healthcare provision analyses reveal gaps in paediatric and adolescent medicine. For example, the DAK Children and Youth Report 2023 (DAK-Kinder- und Jugendreport 2023), which is based on billing data, shows a recent decline in specialist consultations among children and adolescents. The share of 12 to 17-year-olds who consulted at least one specialist fell from 7.8% in 2019 to 6.8% in 2022. Drawing on data from nearly 800,000 children insured through the DAK health insurance provider, the report offers detailed insights into disease patterns and provision structures. The findings offer important input for more needs-based paediatric and adolescent healthcare.

The 2025 Child Health Report (Kindergesundheitsbericht 2025) published by the Child Health Foundation (Stiftung Kindergesundheit) is a comprehensive analysis of current healthcare provision for young people in Germany. It calls for youth-centred, equitable and participatory healthcare, emphasising the need to sustainably expand mental health services, establish reliable structures for the transition to adult care and strengthen prevention, health literacy and youth participation. Overall, the report positions adolescent health as a key indicator of the healthcare system's future viability.

Nutrition Reports

For the past 50 years, the German Nutrition Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e. V., DGE) has published a Nutrition Report every four years on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährug und Heimat, BMLEH), providing important information for nutrition and health policy-making. Summaries of the nutrition reports are available. 

Published in 2024, the 15th DGE Nutrition Report (15. DGE-Ernährungsbericht) shows that in recent years, people are eating significantly more vegetables and less red meat (particularly pork). The report also examines specific topics such as the dietary habits of households with children at risk of poverty and alternative sources of protein. The annual BMLEH Nutrition Reports also provide survey data on eating behaviours. The 2023 Nutrition Report found that approximately 5% of 14 to 29-year-olds now follow a predominantly vegan diet, and another 16% a vegetarian diet – significantly higher rates than in older generations.

The 16th DGE Nutrition Report will focus on the social aspects of nutrition, the causes, determinants and consequences of food poverty in Germany as well as potential policy responses.

On behalf of the BMLEH, the opinion research institute forsa conducted telephone interviews with around 1,000 German citizens aged 14 and older about their eating and shopping habits – this was the tenth time since 2015. The findings were published in the BMLEH Nutrition Report (BMLEH-Ernährungsbericht 2025). It revealed that young people (aged 14–29) demonstrate a pragmatic yet value-driven approach to eating. Quick and easy meal preparation is particularly important to them; they are more price-conscious than older age groups and they place less emphasis on calorie content. At the same time, they are more open to vegetarian and vegan alternatives, frequently refer to labels such as the Nutri-Score system and support policy measures aimed at reducing meat consumption for climate and animal welfare reasons.

Children and Youth Sports Report

In October 2020, the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation (Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung) published the Fourth Children and Youth Sport Report (Vierter Kinder- und Jugendsportbericht, which has presented the current situation in children's and youth sport and recommended action plans for politics, associations, clubs and schools since 2003. The report examines such topics as changes in children's and youth sports, and physical activity and sport for children up to the age of twelve. The Fourth Children and Youth Sport Report focuses on performance, health and society. It addresses current issues such as the positive impact of sport on children with chronic diseases, or the concept of physical literacy to promote physical exercise among children, a holistic approach which embraces participation, motor skills, as well as motivation and self-efficacy.

Drug affinity study

Once a year, the Federal Institute of Public Health (Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit, BIÖG) carries out a 'drug affinity study' on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesgesundheitsministerium). The Drug Affinity Study 2023 (Drogenaffinitätstudie 2023) shows that substance use among adolescents (12 to 17-year-olds) remains generally low and is predominantly stable or declining, especially with regard to smoking or alcohol consumption. However, binge drinking and the use of new nicotine products (such as disposable e-cigarettes) continue to be of concern. Among young adults (18 to 25-year-olds), the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and particularly cannabis is considerably higher, with cannabis use increasing in recent years, especially among young men. Additionally, private internet use continues to rise in both age groups, along with internet-related problems, with adolescents and young women being disproportionately affected. Overall, the study shows that while traditional substance use among adolescents is falling, risk patterns are shifting to different areas, including young adults, cannabis and digital behaviours.

The Drug Affinity Study 2025 focused on cannabis as its main subject. Among 12 to 17-year-olds, cannabis use has not increased over the past ten years, but has in fact declined slightly. The picture is different for 18 to 25-year-olds, where cannabis use has increased significantly, particularly among young men. The data also indicates that a significant proportion of adolescents and young adults who use cannabis exhibit problematic consumption patterns

Evaluation of the National Action Plan IN FORM

The National Action Plan IN FORM, which was launched in 2008 to promote healthy eating and physical activity in Germany was comprehensively evaluated between 2017 and 2019 (including by the University of Bielefeld and the German Sport University Cologne). Published in 2019, the final report confirms that IN FORM helped drive efforts to promote physical activity in prevention, rehabilitation and therapy, and assesses the extent to which physical activity has been embedded across different areas of health prevention. The results and recommendations of the evaluation are documented on the IN FORM website.

Other representative studies

The Federal Institute of Public Health (Das Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit, BIÖG) has carried out regular representative surveys on the subjects of school, health, vaccinations and hygiene, health equity and alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption since the 1970s. It has also prepared prevention-relevant databases on sex education a nd AIDS.

Main concepts

Youth health promotion initiatives

The findings of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey, KiGGS) and the Study Series "Health in Germany" (Robert-Koch-Institute, RKI) are a starting point for the initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesgesundheitsministerium) which aim to promote children's and adolescents' health and improve medical care. For example, they are an important basis on which statutory regulations for the paediatric check-up programme (Act to strengthen health promotion and prevention (Präventionsgesetz)) are redrafted.

Medical and health science research carried out by the federal government also focuses on promoting and preserving health and improving medical care. A special funding priority of the Federal Ministry of Health also targets projects designed to further improve health care and the health of children and adolescents. There are other specific funding priorities, such as initiatives to improve addiction prevention.

In the priority area "Promoting children’s health”, the Federal Ministry of Health is currently funding projects that address the following issues:

• Improving the care of children and young people with mental illnesses
• Improving the protection of children in medicine, and
• Preventing overweight and obesity in children

As part of the federal government's Youth Strategy (Jugendstrategie), activities are being carried out in the area of “health”. One of these measures is a dialogue with experts about strengthening prevention and health promotion among adolescents. This dialogue is conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit) and the Federal Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, Education and Research, Food and Agriculture and for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Bundesministerien für Arbeit und Soziales, für Bildung und Forschung, für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft sowie für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend). The exchange allows stakeholders from science, industry and politics to collaborate across all age groups, target groups and subjects to jointly promote young people’s health. One important milestone in these networking activities is the “Guide to a common understanding of health promotion and prevention among children and adolescents in Germany" (Wegeweiser zum gemeinsamen Verständnis von Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland), which was jointly adopted by the participating organisations and representatives of the participating bodies. The guide defines the key considerations and tasks of the experts in the context of the process.

Active child protection and reliable networks

In its role as guardian, the state must ensure that parents assume their responsibility for the health and well-being of their children. The federal states (Bundesländer) and local authorities are primarily responsible for ensuring the welfare and protection of children. In the fight against child neglect and abuse, key instruments are the outreach activities of child and youth services and the public health service and systematic support of families in difficult circumstances.

The Child and Youth Services Act (Kinder- und Jugendhilfegesetz) (Book VIII of the Social Code) sets out the protection mandate, in particular, of the youth welfare office and local authorities if a child’s welfare is endangered. To enforce the right to a sound upbringing and parental responsibility, youth services are expected, in particular, to

• support young people in their personal and social development and help prevent or eliminate disadvantages,
• provide advice and assistance to parents and other persons having parental powers,
• protect children and young persons from harm to their welfare,
• help maintain or create positive living conditions and a favourable environment for young people and their families.

The Federal Child Protection Act (Bundeskinderschutzgesetz, BKiSchG) regulates preventive and active child protection in Germany. At its core is the Act on Cooperation and Information in Child Protection (Gesetz zur Kooperation und Information im Kinderschutz, KKG). In this context, it is paramount that the activities of child and youth services are coordinated with the health services and programmes to secure basic material needs.

The federal states (Länder) and local authorities decide how they approach parents to give them information and advice on local support services. This could be done by the health services or youth welfare services, for example. 

The child protection guidelines (Kinderschutzleitlinie) published in 2019 by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e.V., AWMF) are the first evidence-based guidelines of this kind to be developed jointly by relevant professional bodies and organisations.

Health targets

For over 20 years, 120 German health care organisations have participated in a cooperation network tasked with developing the national health target process (nationaler Gesundheitszieleprozess). Its members include policymakers at federal, state and community level, self-governing organisations, industry associations, patient and self-help organisations and scientific institutions.

The stated aims are:

• to improve children and young people’s life skills
• to reduce stress/negative influences on children, young people and families
• to promote physical activity among children and young people
• to reduce malnutrition and promote healthy eating in families
• to optimise health-promoting conditions and structures in childcare facilities, schools, families/environment

Recommended measures:

• Raise awareness among child and youth services stakeholders with the aim of establishing health promotion as a professional standard in child and youth services
• Ban food advertisements targeted at children and product placement around children's television programmes
• Include life skills in the interdisciplinary training of care workers and teachers and develop these on an ongoing basis to keep up with developments and quality standards
• Childcare facilities will implement measures to promote workplace health
• Childcare facilities will offer children at least two free meals a day
• Encourage children and young people’s natural enjoyment of physical exercise as part of physical education
• Include practical and theoretical education on nutrition in existing school subjects
• Remove drink vending machines and replace with drinking water dispensers
• Develop setting- and subject-specific quality assurance tools

Equity in health

The call for health equity – especially for socially disadvantaged children and adolescents – is an important subject that features heavily in discussions on health policy in Germany. Studies show that social status influences chances of growing up healthily: the lower the social status, the higher the risk of poorer health. In Germany, opportunities for growing up healthily are unequally distributed, as also shown by the Robert Koch Institute (Robert Koch-Institut, RKI) in the KiGGS Wave 2 study (KiGGS). Although most children and adolescents grow up healthily, 15 to 20 percent have significantly poorer health. They often live under difficult social circumstances, are more exposed to risk factors and have fewer coping mechanisms.

Socially determined inequalities in health are present in all European countries. This is why the Federal Institute of Public Health (Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit, BIÖG) is collaborating with national and international partners in two projects (Equity in Health and Health Inequalities), each of which aims to promote measures and strategies to reduce health inequalities, share expertise and identify and disseminate examples of good practice. The German Collaborative Network for Equity in Health (Kooperationsverbund Gesundheitliche Chancengleichheit) has 75 member organisations. One action area focuses on supporting young people in challenging life situations and recommends specific courses of action. These include establishing early, continuous and coordinated health promotion across families, educational settings and local authorities to reduce health inequalities among children and young people. Local authorities are encouraged to strengthen prevention chains and secure transitions, while health promotion should be embedded as a fundamental quality standard in institutions and professional practice.

After the German Act to strengthen health promotion and prevention (Präventionsgesetz) came into force in 2015, the Collaborative Network set up health equity coordination centres (Koordinierungsstellen Gesundheitliche Chancengleichheit) on a federal level across the country. Their task is to stimulate dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders on a federal, state and municipal level, identify and disseminate good practice projects and thus promote quality development. They support and advise local authorities as part of the partner process “Health for all”.

Drawing on experience from good practice projects, the Collaborative Network has compiled general recommendations for action and implementation strategies to improve the health of children and young people in difficult social situations, but also for special life phases and periods of transition. The good practice criteria devised by the Collaborative Network’s task force can be used as a quality guideline to align services to the needs of target groups. The recommendations for action are implemented in the context of the local partner process "Health for all" (Gesundheit für alle).

Participation

In the mid-2000s, certain criteria and processes were introduced to develop and safeguard the quality of health promotion activities. This came in response to calls from the field and financial backers to be able to better identify and promote effective concepts. The German Collaborative Network for Equity in Health (Kooperationsverbund Gesundheitliche Chancengleichheit) lists participation as one of its good practices. The Collaborative Network’s website presents good practice projects that encourage children and young people to participate in health promotion activities.

Children and young people in the COVID-19 pandemic

Apart from the health risks associated with COVID-19, young people were also affected on multiple levels by the political measures and consequences of the pandemic both socially and individually. Contact restrictions had not only impacted their social life experiences, the pandemic has also had psychological and physical consequences. Studies show that disadvantaged children were especially hard hit by the burdens of the pandemic.

In its studies JuCo (Experiences and Perspectives of Young People During the COVID-19 Pandemic) and KiCo (Experiences and Perspectives of Parents and Their Children During Lockdown), the research network "Childhood – Youth – Family in the COVID-19 Crisis" (Kindheit – Jugend – Familie in der Corona-Zeit) has made it clear that the COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on young people and their families. Among other things, children and young people were affected by lack of exercise, isolation and fears about the future.

Physical exercise and diet 

A 2022 survey carried out by the German Children's Fund (Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk) shows that spending time outdoors has become more important for children and adolescents since the COVID-19 pandemic, although overall they attach less importance to it than adults. However, many children and adolescents continue to report restrictions on outdoor activities, citing lack of time, insufficient play and recreational spaces near their homes and limited social contacts. The findings underscore the need for easily accessible open spaces and natural areas, as well as physical activity and outdoor programmes integrated into the school day, for the health, well-being and social development of children and adolescents.

Mental health

With regard to the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people, the COPSY study conducted by the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (COPSY-Studie des Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf, UKE, 2025) showed that the mental health of children and adolescents remains below pre-crisis levels. Around one in five report a reduced quality of life and psychological stress, with girls aged 14 and older being particularly affected. Growing anxieties about the future – fuelled by war, social division, migration and the climate crisis – contribute significantly to this burden. At the same time, many children and adolescents demonstrate strong coping skills and mental resilience, which will be further strengthened through targeted support, particularly in schools and social environments. 

A report published by the DAK health insurance fund (DAK-Präventionsradar 2025) shows that psychological strain among children and adolescents in Germany remains high, despite a slight improvement following the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls, older adolescents and socially disadvantaged groups are especially affected. Many report exhaustion, sleeping problems, loneliness and symptoms of depression. At the same time, the vast majority have only low to moderate health literacy levels, which correlates with reduced well-being and higher rates of mental health issues. The findings highlight the critical need for early, school-based health literacy programmes to improve mental health and reduce social inequalities. 

Violence

The 2024 Police Crime Statistics (Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik (PKS) 2024) show that violence against children has increased. In 2024, 94,873 people were recorded by police as victims of domestic violence in Germany. Of these, 36.7% were children. An increase in the distribution, purchase, possession and production of images of sexual abuse, or child pornography, has also been observed. Violence in the digital space is also increasing among young people. A study by the health insurance fund Techniker Krankenkasse (2022) clearly shows that cyberbullying is increasing, with the number of victims remaining persistently high since the pandemic.

Research on the lives of young people during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

JuCo and KiCo: surveys of young people and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic

The research network Childhood – Youth – Family During COVID-19 (Kindheit – Jugend – Familie in der Corona-Zeit) carried out the JuCo study on young people’s experiences and perspectives during COVID-19 and the KiCo study on the experiences and perspectives of parents and their children under the lockdown restrictions. The network is a collaboration between the University of Hildesheim’s Department of Social and Organisational Education (Institut für Sozialpädagogik und Erwachsenenbildung an der Stiftung Universität Hildesheim) and the University of Frankfurt’s Institute of Social Pedagogy and Adult Education (Institut für Sozialpädagogik und Erwachsenenbildung an der Universität Frankfurt) together with the University of Bielefeld.

German Children's Health Update
In the German Children's Health Update (Kindergesundheit in Deutschland aktuell, KIDA), the RKI investigated developments in the health status and health behaviours of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 during the COVID-19 pandemic based on data collected between February 2022 and June 2023.

Shell youth study 2024

The 19^th youth study conducted by the Shell corporation (19. Shell Jugendstudie) reveals how young people reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic today. While many consider the pandemic to be over, they acknowledge it has had a lasting impact. Some report increased online communication, loss of social contacts, feelings of loneliness (especially among young women) and disruptions to their education and career paths. Yet, looking back, many also view the COVID-19 pandemic as a formative experience, particularly in terms of the advancement of digitalisation and what it revealed about how society responds to crises.

Youth study 2025 by the TUI foundation (TUI Stiftung)

The TUI foundation has been conducting the "Young Europe" study since 2017. It aims to shed light on the lifeworld, identity and political attitudes of young people in Europe. According to the most recent TUI study (TUI-Jugendstudie 2025), young people today consider the COVID-19 pandemic to be over, but acknowledge that it has left a lasting imprint on their generation. In retrospect, they place COVID-19 within a series of broader societal crises – an experience that has heightened their awareness of crises and increased their scepticism towards political leadership. Although its immediate effects have receded, the pandemic continues to serve as a reference point for experiences of uncertainty and political governance.

DJI survey "Growing up in Germany: Everyday Worlds” (Aufwachsen in Deutschland: Alltagswelten – AID:A)

With its survey "Growing Up in Germany: Everyday Worlds", the German Youth Institute (Deutsches Jugendinstitut, DJI) provides comprehensive information about the living situations and experiences of children, adolescents, young adults and their parents during and after the pandemic. Conducted throughout the country, these representative interviews offer insights into changes in lifestyles and living situations and focus on the different dimensions of the well-being of young people and their families in different everyday contexts. Overall, the findings indicate that the pandemic created long-term risks for the mental health of young people, highlighting the necessity of targeted prevention and support programmes. 
Link to the findings and analyses of DJI research

Measures for children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

The interministerial working group on the health effects of COVID-19 on children and adolescents (Interministerielle Arbeitsgruppe (IMA) "Gesundheitliche Auswirkungen auf Kinder und Jugendliche durch Corona") concludes in its final report (2023)that federal, state and local governments implemented numerous measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on young people. Key instruments were the government "Post-Covid Catch-Up Programme" ("Aufholen Nach Corona"), the expansion and improvement of schools and all-day programmes, initiatives to promote physical activity, health and social participation as well as new services to strengthen mental health, such as school-based support programmes and counselling services.

The federal government is currently developing a national strategy to promote the mental well-being of young people ("Mentale Gesundheit für Junge Menschen"), which will be published in 2026 and will draw directly on lessons learned from the pandemic.

One example of healthcare services emerging from pandemic experiences is the PEDNET-LC project, a nationwide network of 65 clinics and research institutes which was launched in 2025. PEDNET-LC aims to improve diagnostic and treatment options for children and adolescents with long COVID or similar post-infection syndromes, providing effective support to those affected. At the heart of the project are 20 specialised care centres that provide local access across the country. These interdisciplinary, community-based clinics examine and treat young long COVID patients close to their homes. Routine data on symptoms, treatment courses and outcomes is systematically recorded and analysed to continually improve care; findings are shared with medical professionals and the public. In addition to the long-term effects of COVID-19, the network also addresses similar conditions following other infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus) or vaccinations as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, which can affect adolescents.