According to Germany's Federal Statistical Office, the fertility rate in Germany in 2024 was 1.35 children per woman, two percent fewer than in the previous year. Provisional figures for 2025 point to a further decline, to around 654,300 births.
But the desire to have children is still there. An analysis by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) shows that women would like to have an average of 1.76 children, and men 1.74.
"Having children remains a central life goal for most young people. The current decline in births therefore does not indicate a waning commitment to family life, but rather points to births being postponed," population researcher Dr Carmen Friedrich of the BiB, said.
Among women, the so‑called "fertility gap" – the difference between the desired and the actual number of children – has recently doubled to 0.41.
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