Country profile: DACH countries – Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Total population: Austria 8.9 million
Total children under the age of 18: 1.5 million
Total population: Germany 83 million
Total children under the age of 18: 13.75 million
Total Population: Switzerland 8.6 million
Total children under the age of 18: 1.5 million
Country situation:
In Germany there are about 170,000, of which 95,000 live in institutions and the rest in foster families.
In Austria there are about 14,000 children who cannot grow up with their parents; 70% of these children live in children's homes.
In Switzerland, about 18,000 to 19,000 children and adolescents are living away from their own family. More than 2/3 of them are placed in children and youth homes and only about 1/3 live in foster families.
Individuals and organisations from the DACH region also provide financial or voluntary support to residential care institutions in African, Asian and Latin American countries. While this is often done with the best intentions, it provides an incentive for keeping children separated from families in those countries.
Towards DACH without Orphans:
So far there is no WWO movement in any of the three countries but there are people with a desire to start a movement. If you are one of them, please get in touch with us.
Contact for Switzerland and Austria: Barbara Ruegger barbara.ruegger@europe.withoutorphans.org
Contact for Germany: Markus Köker markuskoker@gmail.com