Alarming balance: 121,700 children are injured in Austria in 2024!

Alarming balance: 121,700 children are injured in Austria in 2024!

In 2024, 121,700 children aged to 14 are so seriously injured in Austria that they had to go to the hospital. This is an increase of five percent compared to 2023 when 115,800 young injuries were registered. Particularly alarming is the strong increase in the 10 to 14 year olds, where the number of injuries rose by 17 percent, such as 5min.at.

The injury statistics are tightened by the tragic number of 15 children's deaths this year. The fatal accidents in 2025 comprise six bathing accidents, six window and balcony falls and five fatal accidents in road traffic. Among them are two level crossings and two in truck accidents. The sad record shows how dangerous everyday life can be for children.

causes of the accident and their frequency

The KFV (Board of Trustees for Road Safety) has found that 41 percent of the household accidents happen. Around 30 percent of accidents also occur in the sports and leisure area. Children are often affected in traffic accidents because they often get into situations where they are exposed to the dangers of high speeds and unsightly infrastructure. An alarming number is that a child in Austria has an average of every five minutes, as the press reports.

In 2022 there have been 22 children who died of the consequences of accidents; Including 13 in road traffic and five by drowning. A lack of comprehensive swimming courses is considered worrying, especially in view of the drowning cases. The KFV therefore demands that free swimming courses should be provided throughout Austria.

claims and future measures

A KFV study shows that 52 percent of parents in Austria support stricter legal measures in road traffic. Politicians are asked to create a Ministry of Child Protection and to develop a clear action plan for accident prevention. The KFV emphasizes that there is no clear political responsibility for child safety and that adjustments to the transport infrastructure to the needs of the children are necessary.

The KFV- "Hoppala App" offers parents and legal security tips for different areas and supports them in prevention. Despite the numerous information and offers, the severity of the situation remains clear, since accidents are among the highest health risks for children.

The need for measures to improve child safety could hardly be outlined. Awareness of the dangers in everyday life must be sharpened and the political decision -makers must be held responsible for this so that tragic accidents and injuries can be avoided in the future.