[REVISION HISTORY]
European Union demographic decline
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2026-11-01 14:51 UTC → 2026-11-04 11:14 UTC ·
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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 approximately 654,000 654,241 children born in 2025. 2025 according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This is 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 lowest level in approximately 30 years. country 170th out of 193 countries globally. Research from the Cologne Institute of the German Economy 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. In western Germany, Demographic shifts show the decline was less severe, ranging between 6 and 8 percent. Experts suggest that reversing this 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 may require improved childcare support poses challenges to the German social security system, including pension, health, and easier decision-making processes regarding third or subsequent children. long-term care insurance.
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- 2026-11-04 11:14 UTC European Union demographic decline
- 2026-11-01 14:51 UTC European Union demographic decline
- 2026-10-31 05:47 UTC European Union demographic decline
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