Child welfare – Children placed in out-of-home care

Taking into care of children under 3 has increased

The number of children aged 0–2 taken into care increased by 9% in 2025. A total of 292 children in this age group were taken into care. At the same time, the number of children under 3 receiving support in open care increased by 10%.

“For young children, an increase is visible across all areas of child welfare. This is noteworthy and may indicate a deterioration in the situation of young children, or that authorities are intervening more decisively than before,” says Johanna Hedman, Development Manager at THL.

The number of children placed in out-of-home care has remained stable

In 2025, a total of 17,100 children were placed in out-of-home care, representing 1.6% of all children.

The number of children in placement and the total number of placement days have remained relatively stable in recent years.

Care orders are often long-term

During 2025, a total of 11,500 children were taken into care (1.1% of all children). The younger the children, the smaller the share in care. Among children aged 0–2, 0.2% were in care, while the share among 16–17-year-olds was 2.1%.

There are considerable regional differences. The lowest proportion of children in care (0.5%) was found in South Karelia, Eastern Uusimaa and Ostrobothnia, while the highest proportion was in Kymenlaakso (1.8%).

According to legislation, taking into care should be a last-resort and temporary measure. However, in practice, it is often long-term, which contributes to the stable number of placement days.

In total, 17,100 children were placed in out-of-home care in 2025. The duration of placements varies considerably. One quarter of children who were in placement in 2025 had been placed for less than 7 months, and one quarter had been placed for more than 6 years. One third (5,200 children) of those in placement in 2025 have been placed for at least half of their lives.

The number of urgent placements remains unchanged

A total of 4,800 children were subject to urgent placement during the year, corresponding to 0.5% of all children. In recent years, an increasing share of first-time placements have been urgent placements rather than support measures in open care. This trend continued in 2025.

“Urgent placements reflect crisis situations and immediate danger to the child. They cannot be completely avoided, as children must be protected when necessary. However, the aim should be more planned and anticipatory work,” emphasises Johanna Hedman, Development Manager at THL.

More placements could be provided in family care

At the end of 2025, 53% of children in care were placed in family care. 6% were placed in professional family care and 38% in institutional care.

When considering all children placed during the year, the share in family care was 42%.

Increasing the use of family care is a key objective in child welfare. While wellbeing services counties have already taken steps to strengthen family care, further development is still needed.

Explore the statistical data in more detail

• Read the full statistical report (Julkari) (in Finnish)
• Child welfare indicators in Sotkanet

Background information

• Quality report of the statistics
• Data description of the Child Welfare Register (Data Catalogue)
• Ohjeet tietojen toimittamiseen (in Finnish)

Source

Placements outside the home 2025
Statistical Report 14/2026, 19.5.2026.
Official Statistics of Finland, Child welfare. THL.

Description of the statistics

The statistics contain information on children and young people placed in out-of-home care. Data on persons in placement are obtained as personally identifiable information from wellbeing services counties. The register includes information on the individual, the duration of the placement period, its legal basis, and the type of placement setting.

The statistics can be further developed in 2027, when more detailed information on placement periods will become available through the Finnish Social Welfare and care register and Kanta data, including individually specified placement settings as well as information on the reasons for placement and the support provided prior to placement.

Update schedule

The next statistical release will be published in April-May 2027.

The more exact publication time can be found in the publication calendar.
Publication calendar for statistics