Fertility rate in Germany drops to 1.35 children per woman

The fertility rate in Germany continues its downward trend, falling to 1.35 children per woman in 2024, according to figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday. While this marks a 2% drop compared to 2023, officials noted that the rate of decline has slowed compared to previous years.

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A Slowing Decline but a Worrying Trend

In 2022 and 2023, Germany saw fertility rates decline sharply by 8% and 7%, respectively. The 2024 drop, though smaller, highlights an ongoing demographic challenge in Europe’s largest economy. A total of 677,117 babies were born in 2024, down from 692,989 births in 2023, continuing a trend that could have long-term consequences for the country’s aging population and labor force.

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Regional Variations Across Germany

The figures also revealed stark differences between federal states:

• Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) recorded the highest fertility rate at 1.42 children per woman.
• Berlin, Germany’s capital, had the lowest rate, with just 1.21 children per woman.
• In Thuringia, the decline was particularly sharp, with a 7% drop in birth rates in 2024.

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‍German vs. Foreign Citizens: Diverging Trends

Women holding German citizenship recorded their lowest fertility rate in nearly 30 years, 1.23 children per woman, a level last seen in 1996. Meanwhile, women with foreign citizenship had a higher fertility rate of 1.84 children per woman, although this, too, represented a 2% drop from the previous year.

Interestingly, the fertility rate among foreign women has been in steady decline since 2017, showing that the downward trend is not limited to German nationals.

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Parents Are Getting Older

The average age of mothers and fathers in Germany continues to rise:

• In 2024, mothers averaged 31.8 years at the time of birth.
• Fathers were even older, with an average age of 34.7 years.

Since 1991, the average age of mothers has increased by nearly four years.

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Why Does This Matter?

Germany’s falling fertility rate has raised alarms among policymakers and economists. With an aging population and shrinking workforce, the country faces potential challenges in sustaining its social welfare system and economic growth. Efforts such as family subsidies, expanded childcare options, and immigration incentives have been introduced, but so far they have failed to reverse the trend.

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A Historic Perspective

The lowest fertility rate in modern German history was recorded among women born in 1968, at just 1.49 children per woman. For women born in 1975, the number rose slightly to 1.58, but current trends suggest Germany could be heading back toward historic lows if corrective measures are not effective.

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