Germany's Fertility Rate Drops to 1.35, Raising Alarms Over Future Demographic Challenges
Berlin, July 22 – Germany is facing a growing demographic challenge that could have long-term implications on its social structure and economic stability. The country's total fertility rate declined to 1.35 children per woman in 2024—the lowest level in over two decades—according to newly released data.
A total of 677,117 births were recorded in 2024, marking a decline of 15,872 from the previous year, or a 2% drop. While this decrease is slightly less severe than the 8% and 7% drops recorded in 2022 and 2023 respectively, the trend remains worrying for policymakers and demographers.
The fall in birth rates is not uniform across the country. Eastern Germany's Thuringia state experienced the steepest decline, with fertility rates falling 7% to just 1.24. In contrast, Baden-Württemberg in the southwest saw only a 1% drop, with its fertility rate at 1.39. These disparities reflect broader socio-economic inequalities across Germany’s regions.
In 2024, the average age of mothers at childbirth stood at 31.8 years, and fathers at 34.7 years—both figures unchanged since 2021. First-time parents are also getting older, with women giving birth to their first child at an average age of 30.4 and men at 33.3.
Experts point to a complex set of factors contributing to the declining fertility rate, including the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, inflationary pressures, and growing concerns over climate change—all of which have shifted personal priorities and family planning decisions.
Research also highlights a sharp 17.5% decline in birth rates in eastern Germany, attributed to a shrinking population of women aged 27–36 and migration to western regions in search of better employment opportunities.
Policymakers are now under pressure to reverse the downward trend. Demographers believe that improvements in childcare infrastructure, generous parental leave policies, and flexible working conditions could encourage more couples to start families.
However, the economic burden of raising multiple children remains a key concern. A recent survey found that one in four families with three or more children experiences financial hardship. While the European average fertility rate is currently 1.38, close to Germany’s, the pace and impact of decline in Germany has prompted growing urgency among government and social planners to address the issue.
