Berlin, April 10, 2026 Violent attacks against teachers in Germany have surged to a record high, with 1,283 documented cases of intentional bodily harm in 2024, according to newly released police statistics. The figures mark a sharp increase compared to previous years, underscoring a troubling trend of rising violence in schools. Data from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reveals that between 2015 and 2023, annual cases ranged from 717 to 1,017, making the 2024 tally a significant outlier.
The spike follows a temporary dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, when school closures likely contributed to a drop in incidents. In 2021, only 564 cases were recorded, the lowest number in nearly a decade. However, the decline proved short-lived, with violence resuming its upward trajectory as schools reopened.
Rising Trend Over a Decade
Since 2015, attacks against teachers have steadily increased, with the exception of 2020 and 2021, when pandemic restrictions led to fewer in-person interactions. That year, police recorded just 268 cases nationwide, a fraction of the current numbers. By 2023, the figure had climbed to 477, followed by another jump to 557 cases in 2024.
Experts attribute the long-term rise to broader societal tensions, though the data does not specify causes. The BKA has yet to release its 2025 report, leaving open whether the trend has continued into the current year.