A total of 6,120 children and young people were in the care system, with the figures showing a decline in residential care and an increase in foster care.

According to CASA 2025, the Annual Report on the Situation of Children and Young People in Care, as of 30 November 2025, there were 6,120 children and young people in the care system, “5,661 of whom were in residential care and 459 in foster care (7.5% of all placements)”.

On 30 November 2024, there were 6,349 children and young people in care, meaning the figure fell by around 4% over the course of a year. Of the total number of children and young people subject to placement measures in 2024, “5,988 were in residential care and 361 were living with foster families (5.6% of all placements)”.

Reasons for the decline

The analysis shows that the reduction in the number of children living in residential institutions is primarily due to a decrease in cases requiring residential care. In other words, the number of children placed with foster families has increased.

“Neglect remains the main situation of risk leading to placement in care, accounting for 66.9% of cases. This is followed by abandonment or being left to fend for oneself (6.2%), other situations of risk (5.4%), psychological abuse (4.9%) and physical abuse (4%),” the report states.

Regarding the profile of children and young people in care, the Institute for Social Security (ISS) said it remains similar to previous years, “with a balanced distribution between boys and girls and a predominance of teenagers aged between 12 and 17”.

The report adds that “16.3% of those in care were foreign nationals and that there were 225 unaccompanied foreign children and young people, 22% fewer than in 2024”.

Regarding children and young people who left the care system in 2025, the report records a total of 1,801. Of these, 67.4% returned to their family environment, while 7.7% moved into pre-adoption arrangements and 7.1% began living independently.

According to the ISS, “the average length of time spent in care remains around three years”.

“The CASA 2025 report also highlights that the vast majority of promotion and protection measures continue to be implemented within the child’s natural living environment,” the document states. In 2025, “a total of 45,903 children and young people were subject to promotion and protection measures within their natural living environment, representing 88% of all measures applied”.

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