Lower birth rate registers at 1.35 kids per female adult
Over the past few decades, Germany and Europe have witnessed a significant decline in birth rates, a trend that has far-reaching societal, economic, and demographic implications.
One of the primary factors contributing to this trend is economic instability. Economic uncertainties, job insecurities, and high living costs discourage people from starting families. Inflation, escalating housing prices, and the cost of childcare and education are significant concerns that deter potential parents [2].
Urbanization also plays a significant role. Urban areas tend to have fewer children due to factors like higher property prices and different lifestyle expectations compared to rural areas. Urbanization often leads to smaller family sizes [2].
Another contributing factor is the increased focus on education and career advancement. Higher education levels, particularly among women, are associated with lower fertility rates in Germany [4].
Social and cultural changes, such as increased cohabitation and reduced marriage rates, also influence fertility decisions. In Germany, social policies favour married couples, but cohabitation rates have risen [4].
Immigration and demographics are another aspect to consider. While immigration has helped increase Germany's population despite low birth rates, it also shifts demographic balances. Predictions suggest that by 2070, a significant portion of births will be to non-German mothers in Germany [1].
In 2023, Germany's fertility rate among German citizens was 1.23 children per woman, a value last recorded in 1996. The birth rate among women with foreign citizenship was 1.84 children, a decrease of 2% [1].
The decline in the birth rate was observed in all federal states in 2023, with the strongest decrease in Thuringia at 7% and the smallest in Baden-Württemberg at 1% [1]. The lowest birth rate among the federal states was 1.21 in Berlin, and the highest was 1.42 in Lower Saxony [1].
In the past ten years, parents in Germany have been tending to be older at the birth of their first child. In 2024, the average age of mothers at the birth of their first child was 33.3 years, and fathers were 33.3 years old [5].
The decline in the birth rate is not unique to Germany. The average birth rate for all 27 EU countries in 2023 was 1.38 children per woman, compared to 1.51 ten years ago [6]. The lowest birth rates were recorded in Malta at 1.06 and Spain at 1.12 children per woman, while the highest was in Bulgaria at 1.81 children per woman [7].
The annual decline in the birth rate among women with German citizenship has weakened in 2023, according to the Federal Office [1]. Despite this, the birth rate in 2023 was still lower than the values seen in the 1990s and the first decade of the new millennium [1].
In 2022, 677,117 children were born in Germany, a decrease of 2% from the previous year [3]. The birth rate among women with foreign citizenship is higher than the birth rate among women with German citizenship [1].
This trend of declining birth rates, often referred to as a "demographic winter," is expected to have economic and social implications. Predictions like those from Thilo Sarrazin suggest that demographic changes will continue, with a significant portion of births being to non-native mothers by 2070 in Germany [1].
In conclusion, the decreasing birth rate in Germany and Europe is influenced by a combination of economic, social, and cultural factors, leading to a demographic landscape that is increasingly characterized by aging populations and reliance on immigration for population growth.
Food subsidies and policies aimed at supporting families could potentially offset some of the economic barriers that discourage childbirth, thereby helping to address the declining birth rate. Managing and mitigating the impacts of inflation, housing costs, and childcare expenses are key considerations for policy-and-legislation in this regard [8].
This demographic shift, often termed a 'demographic winter', is also a hot topic in the general-news, given its significant societal, economic, and political implications. Policymakers and legislators are closely examining various options to encourage childbirth while maintaining a balance between family-friendly benefits and fiscal sustainability [9].
