December 8, 2025, 3:13 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Quietly and steadily, a wave of psychological stress is growing among young people in Germany—hitting girls particularly hard. A recent report from DAK-Gesundheit reveals alarming numbers: Anxiety disorders are significantly increasing among children, and many affected individuals remain ill for the long term.
DAK Study Shows Drastic Increase in Mental Illnesses
The latest children’s and youth report from the health insurance company DAK reveals a dramatic development: In 2024, an average of 22 out of 1,000 insured individuals aged 5 to 17 suffered from anxiety disorders. This equates to approximately 230,000 affected children and adolescents nationwide. Compared to 2019, this is an increase of 17 percent—even before the coronavirus pandemic.1
Girls Aged 15 to 17 Particularly Affected
The numbers for older girls are particularly alarming. In the 15 to 17 age group, 66.5 out of 1,000 girls were in medical treatment for anxiety disorders last year. This is an increase of 53 percent compared to the pre-coronavirus period.
The development is even more severe in chronic cases. In 2024, 16.6 out of 1,000 girls were treated for persistent anxiety on an outpatient or inpatient basis per quarter. For comparison, in 2019, this figure was 8.1.
Data Analysis Reveals Pandemic Effects
The data analysis was conducted by a research team from the University of Bielefeld. They analyzed a total of 800,000 children and adolescents insured with DAK.
“We see a long-term solidification of mental disorders in children and adolescents,” Christoph Correll from Charité is quoted in a BILD report. “The numbers from the DAK children’s and youth report make the legacy of the pandemic visible.”
The report states that girls, in particular, were significantly affected during the coronavirus period. The lack of social contact and withdrawal from everyday life fostered the development of anxieties. “Additionally, girls are more vulnerable than boys to social media, whose consumption increased during the pandemic,” Correll explains in the DAK report. “They see body images, happiness, and satisfaction ideals that cannot be fulfilled. This increases stress levels and can promote and deepen the manifestation of mental illnesses.”
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Pediatricians Call for More Support in Schools and Daycares
“The results are concerning and align with our experiences in practice,” says Michael Hubmann, president of the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ). From his perspective, it is urgently necessary for schools, daycares, and youth centers to provide more prevention and support services.
Support Services for Mental Health Crises
Anyone suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts, or who knows someone affected, can contact the telephone counseling service. It is available around the clock, anonymously and free of charge–at 0800-111-0111 or 0800-111-0222.