Germany birth rate reaches post-war low

Germany has recorded its lowest number of births in the post-war era, with 654,241 children born in 2025, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The fertility rate has fallen to 1.32 children per woman, ranking Germany 170th out of 193 countries globally.

Demographic shifts show that the average age for first-time mothers is 30.5 years, while fathers average 33.3 years. Research from the Federal Institute for Population Research indicates a declining desire for children among young adults aged 18 to 39, with the desired number of children dropping from 1.8 to 1.65 in recent years.

The declining birth rate poses significant challenges to the German social security system, including pension, health, and long-term care insurance. These systems rely on a sufficient number of active workers to fund the increasing costs associated with an aging population, particularly as the baby boomer generation enters retirement.