# European Union demographic decline > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-union-demographic-decline > Updated: 2026-11-03T15:50:25.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 4. The European Union is experiencing a significant demographic decline, with the total fertility rate falling to 1.34 births per woman in 2024. This represents the lowest level recorded since Eurostat began tracking the data in 2001 and remains well below the replacement level of 2.1. Regional disparities are evident across the bloc. In several countries, including Spain, Poland, Italy, Greece, Germany, and Lithuania, fertility rates in certain regions have dropped below one child per woman. In contrast, higher rates have been observed in parts of Bulgaria, France, Germany, and Slovenia. Germany has specifically reported its lowest number of births since the end of World War II, with 654,241 children born in 2025 according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This represents an 11 percent decrease compared to a decade ago. The decline is attributed to a projected 10.2 percent decrease in the number of women aged 25 to 39. In Germany, the average number of children per woman fell to 1.32 in 2025, ranking the country 170th out of 193 countries globally. Research from the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) indicates that no rapid recovery is expected through 2035. The decline is particularly pronounced in eastern German states, where births fell by one third over the last decade, and by more than 40 percent among mothers with German citizenship. Demographic shifts show the average age for first-time mothers is 30.5 years. Furthermore, the Federal Institute for Population Research notes 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. This trend poses challenges to the German social security system, including pension, health, and long-term care insurance. ## Claims - The number of women aged 25 to 39 is projected to decrease by 10.2 percent by 2035 compared to 2025. (reported by 16 sources) - Germany recorded approximately 654,000 births in 2025. (reported by 3 sources) - The number of births in 2025 was roughly 11 percent lower than ten years prior. (reported by 3 sources) - Births in eastern German states fell by one third over a ten-year period. (reported by 3 sources) - Births among mothers with German citizenship in eastern states fell by more than 40 percent. (reported by 3 sources) - The average number of children per woman in Germany was 1.32 in 2025. (reported by 3 sources) - The average number of children per woman is at its lowest level in approximately 30 years. (reported by 3 sources) - The number of young women in western Germany is expected to decline continuously beyond 2035. (reported by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-11-03: Germany birth rate reaches post-war low Germany's birth rate has hit a post-war low of 1.32 children per woman, threatening the stability of social security systems. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-birth-rate-reaches-post-war-low ### 2026-11-01: Germany faces prolonged decline in birth rates A study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research indicates Germany is facing a historic birth rate decline, with fewer births recorded than at any time since the end of WWII. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-faces-prolonged-decline-in-birth-rates ### 2026-10-29: Germany birth rates hit post-WWII low as population of potential mothers declines Germany's 2025 birth rate reached a post-WWII low. An IW study warns that a shrinking number of women aged 25 to 39 will likely prevent a rapid recovery through 2035. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-industry-faces-pressure-from-demographic-shifts-and-rising-workloads ### 2026-10-27: European Union fertility rate hits historic low of 1.34 The EU fertility rate hit a historic low of 1.34 in 2024, well below the 2.1 replacement level, with many regions reporting fewer than one child per woman. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-fertility-rates-hit-historic-lows-in-eu-and-us --- Cite as: European Union demographic decline. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-union-demographic-decline