A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that two out of three young adults aged 18 to 30 in the European Union, Iceland, and Norway have experienced at least one traumatic or highly stressful event during childhood. The WHO estimates that 40% of all adults in this region have faced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE).
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Among the young adults surveyed, 23% reported experiencing four or more negative events, which have serious repercussions for their mental and physical health, education, social situations, and behavior. Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, emphasized the widespread nature of these experiences, stating, "We’re not talking about a small, unlucky minority."
Adverse childhood experiences include abuse, neglect, family dysfunction, and exposure to violence. This survey, funded by the EU and conducted in cooperation with Liverpool John Moores University, sampled 26,700 respondents from November 2025 to January 2026. The findings come amid a 21% increase in mental health disorders across OECD countries over the last two decades, with one in five Europeans now suffering from such conditions.
The report identifies parental separation or death as the most common form of ACE, reported by 39% of respondents. Additional factors, such as economic, social, and gender-related issues, exacerbate the impact of these experiences. Young women, ethnic minorities, migrants, and those who faced severe material deprivation in childhood were identified as particularly vulnerable. For instance, 33% of young women reported experiencing sexual abuse, compared to 25% of young men, and nearly 52% of young adults from low-income backgrounds witnessed domestic violence as children.
The accumulated trauma leads to various mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. Those with four or more negative experiences were over three times more likely to require psychological support in the previous year compared to those who had not faced such adversities. Furthermore, individuals who experienced significant childhood trauma are six times more likely to be victims of physical violence and ten times more likely to perpetrate it.
To address these challenges, the WHO emphasizes the importance of preventive measures that support families and tackle poverty, social exclusion, and violence. The presence of supportive adults is linked to improved mental health outcomes. The report calls for public services to adopt a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that health care, social services, education, and justice systems are prepared to identify and assist individuals affected by childhood trauma, thereby breaking the cycle for future generations.