While most Member States have developed deinstitutionalisation strategies, the numbers of children, adults with disabilities and older people in residential institutions has increased in the past 10 years, concerning 1.44 million people across the EU according to the last figure.

That is the gloomy trend the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound), drawn in its last report which examines in details the state of deinstitutionalisation in the EU, focusing on the shift from institutional to family- and community-based care. The report examines the situation of children, people with disabilities, mental health issues, older adults, and those experiencing homelessness or abuse, using an intersectional approach. It also presents the deinstitutionalisation strategies of EU Members States. Key findings include:

• Rising institutionalisation: Between 2012 and 2023 the number of people insitutionalise has increased.
• Lack of definition: "Residential institution" is inconsistently defined across EU countries and over time.
• Insufficient data: Limited comparable data on care, services, and recipients prevent further efforts to promote independent living and inclusion.
• Under-researched experiences: Little is known about the living conditions of people in institutions – or at risk of institutionalisation – particularly children in residential settings, and those in emergency shelters due to homelessness or domestic abuse.
• Institutional culture: Isolation, depersonalisation, rigid routines, and limited freedom are common in institutions and shelters, leading to poor living conditions and exclusion.
• Housing shortages: A lack of affordable, accessible housing and foster care restricts family- and community-based support options.
• Funding and staffing gaps: Limited public funding, staffing shortages, inadequate training, and administrative barriers undermine family- and community-based services.

Moreover, the report presents the case studies of The Netherlands, and Belgium which show the benefits of deinstitutionalisation and social inclusion as well as the challenges encountered.

Finally, based on these findings, the report also put forward several recommendations for policymakers and practitioners such as:

• Adopting a person-centred approach, based on choice and control, offering a mix of family- and community-based care.
• Addressing institutional culture in all care settings.
• Planning and preparing for individuals’ transitions to community living.
• Improving the professional knowledge of staff working in community-based care and services.
• Supporting informal carers, ensuring adequate staffing, and providing decent pay for care and social services workers.
• Providing services focused exclusively on the promotion of social inclusion and the strengthening of social networks.
• Ensuring equal access to mainstream services.
• Ensuring EU-wide collection of data.