Low birth rate in Germany reaches 1.35 children per woman on average - Decline in Germany's birth rate reaches an all-time low of 1.35 births per woman
In 2024, the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden reported a continued decline in the birth rate among women with German citizenship, reaching its lowest level in nearly three decades. The fertility rate for German women dropped by 3 percent to 1.23 children per woman, a figure last seen in 1996.
Meanwhile, women with foreign citizenship had a higher fertility rate of 1.84 children per woman, although this too declined by 2 percent from the previous year and has been decreasing nearly continuously since 2017.
Several factors are contributing to the low birth rate among German women. One significant factor is the increasing trend of later parenthood, with the average age of mothers at first childbirth rising to 30.4 years in 2024.
Socioeconomic and cultural changes are also playing a role. These include increased female labor participation, higher education levels, urbanization, and lifestyle preferences that are commonly linked to reduced fertility in developed countries.
Despite overall population growth driven by immigration, ethnic Germans are having fewer children. This demographic shift could potentially lead to Germans becoming a minority in their own country by 2070, with projections that up to 80 percent of births might eventually be to non-German mothers.
Comparing the birth rates between German and foreign women, it is clear that there are significant demographic and possibly cultural differences influencing family size preferences and fertility behaviour. In 2024, Lower Saxony had the highest birth rate among all federal states, with 1.42 children per woman, while Berlin had the lowest, with 1.21 children per woman.
All federal states reported a decline in birth rate in 2024, with Berlin having the lowest rate and Lower Saxony having the highest. The average age of fathers at the birth of a child in 2024 was 34.7 years old, while the average age of mothers was 31.8 years old.
The Federal Statistical Office calculates a so-called final number of children, which is based on the statistically defined end of the childbearing age at 49 years. This figure will continue to be closely monitored as Germany navigates its changing demographic landscape.
Women in Germany, influenced by factors such as increasing age of motherhood, socioeconomic changes, and cultural shifts, are having fewer children, with the birth rate at 1.35 children per woman in 2024. In contrast, women's health and wellness, possibly influenced by different cultural factors, may contribute to the higher birth rate among women with foreign citizenship.
