Opportunities for Children

Many children in Germany grow up with unequal opportunities. Poverty as well as limited access to education, childcare, and social services shape life trajectories early on and have lasting effects.

The European Child Guarantee provides a shared framework to address child poverty preventively and to improve social opportunities. The policy brief shows that while child-related policy measures in Germany are diverse, they are often fragmented and difficult to access. A comparison with other EU member states highlights the significant learning potential for Germany. Better coordination, simplified access, and targeted investments in childcare and participation can make support services more effective and help reduce inequalities in opportunities.