Foster care applications in Limburg more than double over ten years

Pleegzorg Limburg reported that 579 children were registered for foster care in the Limburg region of Belgium in 2025.

This figure represents a 161 percent increase compared to 2015, when 221 children were registered. Although the number of applications dropped by 16 percent from a peak of 675 in 2024, the demand remains high. Jana Bens of Pleegzorg Limburg says that parents are facing increasing difficulties and financial pressure, which contributes to the rise in placements.

She also notes that society now views foster care as a primary form of youth assistance. Authorities often prioritize placing children in foster homes before seeking other types of support because a stable family environment is crucial for children aged 6 and under. The reasons for these placements vary, ranging from parental addiction and generational patterns to parents being in prison.

While the demand is high, the organization has improved its placement rate, moving from 1,221 placements in 2021 to 1,473 in 2025. Pleegzorg Limburg continues to recruit new foster families to ensure children can experience a normal family life.