Germany’s fertility rate has declined to its lowest level since 2009, falling to approximately 1.35 children per woman in 2023. While surveys indicate that many Germans still desire to have children, a growing gap exists between these aspirations and the actual birth rate. Prospective parents face significant hurdles, including economic instability, rising housing costs, and inadequate childcare infrastructure. These systemic challenges, combined with concerns over career progression and the unequal distribution of domestic labor, are contributing to delayed or abandoned family planning goals.
- The German birth rate fell to 1.35 children per woman in 2023, a significant drop from 1.58 in 2021.
- Research shows a disconnect between the “ideal” family size, which many Germans still cite as two children, and the declining national average.
- Economic pressures, including high inflation and the rising cost of living, serve as primary deterrents for young couples.
- Insufficient availability of childcare facilities and nursery spots complicates the balance between professional and family life.
- Women frequently experience career disadvantages following maternity leave, often resulting in long-term financial impacts.
- Societal expectations and the persistence of traditional gender roles continue to influence the feasibility of having multiple children.
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Do you think falling birth rates are mainly about economics, work‑life balance, or wider uncertainty about the future? Do you see similar trends where you live? Let us know your thoughts
This amazing phenomenon happens when owning and renting homes is unaffordable…
lol "climate change" is not the reason people are not having children
Musellman vor jedem spielplatz und die polizei hilfy beim kinderr missbrauch vertuschen
The world doesnt need more babies the less people the more affordable things will get
Young people are tired of paying taxes to support the rich older generation
I have friend from Germany and we can easily track his family tree from the early to mid 18, because his great grandfather have his grandfather when he around 50, so is his grandfather when he have his father, and his father have him when he around 60, now he is around 30 😅
Cost of living is the problem
🤔😲
Give working people a decent wage! Child care allows 2 people to work but they only earn enough to survive. In 1950, 60, 70, 80 one person could earn enough by themselves. The millionaires and Billionaires need to take a pay cut.
Maybe put less money into weaponry exports and more into childcare … just saying
both parents need to work full-time just to qualify for the mortgage.
Furthermore, you can't expect families to have more than 2 kids when 70% of housing in urban areas have less than 3 bedrooms (1 for the parents and hopefully 1 for each child).
You gotta be a millionnaire to afford 3+ kids in this economy.
Germany 2025: got pregnant last year. Then: 1. Couldn't find a gynaecologist – the main and only answer – sorry, we don't accept new patients. 2. Thr doctor was nice (I thought), but she didn't do anything. I told her that I had 2 miscarriages before and that I need to check progesterone level. Her answer was – its nature, if another miscarriage happens, its just nature. Try again. 3.then I started spotting. I told her – her answer- its nature. 4 then I asked her about progesterone pills – she said ah yes, why not. Etc etc etc she I had another miscarriage because my progesterone level wasn't high enough
Unafordable housing , low working rights , low income , Insecurity for jobs . Pick one
I don't know what's up with that. Pretty much everyone I know has kids. (And some of them shouldn't have gotten any.)
When you siphon everything from the population, the population will shrink. Who could have seen that coming … 🙄
Who about, treat loans backed by untaxed collateral as income?
Vermögenssteuer?
No more Beitragsbemessungsgrenzen?
A minimum as well as a maximum Rente?
Rente, for all instead of our fractured system?
Actually invest in infrastructure to support families?
Some people with multiple wives without work can afford to have babies. My wife and I work full time and we could never afford having one. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Global trend in the developed countries.
Speaking for myself, I wouldn't have a child if I couldn't afford my own home. Governments must drastically reduce housing prices, by at least 40%, to start having a significant impact on society.
"Does Germany need more babies?" It's an absurd question, and I'm only four seconds in. This'll be fun. (0:00)
The guy is exhausting you; he is a professor and you cannot follow him talking about statistics, he cannot say things in a scientific yet understadable way for other speakers, internationally. Using such long sentences you are losing the meaning
Where do you start
1. High cost of living.
2. High housing cost.
3. Salaries staying flat.
4. Shortage of krippe and kindergarten places. Let's not get into the decline of quality of education.
5. Healthcare quality declining.
Very reassuring conditions to bring in one more life into this world.
I think the problem is the lack of decent circumstances, affordable housing…., no one is against having babies ❤but everyone wants to lead a good life with them as a family and therefore you have to have the right partner, social support and adequate ressources❤
Who's paying for these children if "Germany" needs so much? Oh I pay taxes, pay for food, pay for everything, and Germany gets the benefits? Germany needs? I pay? Hahaha
Emigrants abusing there social system …
Sir, because India is having more babies while other countries are having very less, we India will one day take over the world. Jai Hind!
Better hurry up, Germany. Merz needs soldiers for his military goals.
This “expert” 🙄
Nations still aren’t getting it. It’s time and money. Maternal leave in upwards till child start school. A universal maternal allowance. Every year on maternal leave substantial financial support. Based in cost of living and factors that can be negotiated to set standard. It’s time and money that’ll start to curve low birth rate. Honestly probably could just start with maternal leave increase initially. Then keep adding to it.
7:40 the rush hours of life end when the youngest child is 5-6?
That's when the stress really starts – homework, grades, …. the Kindergarten years are the ones without that much stress as children don't have to perform there.
30 year permanent jobs are the only way fertility rate can be increased
This is a global issue in first world countries, not just Germany.