# German demographics: marriage, birth, adoption, longevity > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-rhinewestphalia-social-trends > Updated: 2026-07-28T10:56:37.000Z. Sources: 63. Developments: 10. Mid‑2026 figures confirm that Germany’s demographic indicators continued their downward trajectory, while longevity modestly rose. National births in 2025 fell to 654,241 and the total fertility rate slipped to 1.32, the lowest level since the mid‑2000s. Parental ages rose to 31.9 for mothers and 34.8 for fathers. Marriages dropped to 348,800, the smallest tally since 1950, and divorce filings climbed to about 130,100. Adopted children hit a post‑reunification low of 3,517, with step‑parent adoptions covering three‑quarters of cases. Life expectancy reached new records in 2025 (women 83.6 years, men 79.1 years). A pension‑age commission proposal linking retirement to life‑expectancy gains has reignited policy debate, and research underscores the mortality‑reducing effect of strong social ties. Regionally, Brandenburg recorded only 14,495 births in 2025—a 4.3 % drop and the lowest since early post‑reunification—alongside 35,743 deaths, creating the highest death‑excess since 1990 and a fertility rate of 1.30. In Hesse, births fell to 51,740 (fewest since 2012) while deaths rose to 71,080, generating a net loss of 19,340 residents; strong migration partly offset the decline, with 204,930 newcomers (59.5 % from abroad, notably Ukraine) and a net migration gain of 16,850. A UNFPA study of 108,000 German internet users (18‑39) found an average desired family size of 1.75 children, yet realized fertility slipped to 1.35 in 2024, widening the “fertility gap.” Over 85 % cited financial security, stable employment, affordable housing and reliable childcare as essential preconditions for parenthood. Comparative data from Italy show an even sharper decline: 355,000 births in 2025 (fertility rate 1.14), 652,000 deaths and a natural population loss of 297,000. About 62 % of Italians of child‑bearing age cite economic and labour obstacles as the main deterrent, 49.9 % of women fear career setbacks from motherhood, and more than 3 million women are inactive for family reasons. ## Claims - Italy recorded 355,000 births in 2025, the lowest number since the post‑World‑War II era. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The total fertility rate in Italy in 2025 was 1.14 children per woman. (corroborated by 13 sources) - 62.2 % of Italians of child‑bearing age who will not have more children say they gave up because of economic, labour or social obstacles. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Only 5.5 % of Italians of child‑bearing age say parenthood is not part of their life plan. (corroborated by 13 sources) - If fertility intentions were realized, about 760,000 children would have been born in Italy in 2025. (corroborated by 13 sources) - 2.8 million Italians identified economic and labour difficulties as the main obstacle to having children. (corroborated by 13 sources) - 49.9 % of Italian women fear negative career consequences from motherhood, compared with 24 % of men. (corroborated by 13 sources) - In 2025 Italy recorded 652,000 deaths and a natural population decline of 297,000 people. (corroborated by 13 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-28: Italy records historic low of 355,000 births in 2025 Italy saw a historic low of 355,000 births in 2025, fertility 1.14, 62.2% cite economic obstacles, deaths 652,000, natural decline 297,000; potential births 760,000 if intentions met. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-and-germany-record-historic-lows-in-births-amid-economic-hurdles ### 2026-07-20: Germany's Brandenburg and Hessen record historic low birth rates in 2025 Brandenburg and Hessen saw record low births in 2025, leading to population declines tempered by migration gains, especially in Hesse. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-brandenburg-and-hessen-record-historic-low-birth-rates-in-2025 ### 2026-07-09: German life expectancy peaks; research cites social bonds and monastic living German life expectancy hit record highs in 2025 while studies link longer lives to strong social ties and communal monastic living. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-life-expectancy-peaks-research-cites-social-bonds-and-monastic-living ### 2026-07-07: Germany's life expectancy reaches record highs in 2025 Germany's 2025 life expectancy hit new peaks – 83.6 years for women, 79.1 years for men – with regional variation and a pension‑age linkage debate. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-2025-life-expectancy-hits-record-highs-for-both-sexes ### 2026-07-03: Germany records lowest annual adoption figures since 1990 Germany adopted 3,517 children in 2025, the fewest since 1990, as classic adoptions fell and step‑parent adoptions—especially by same‑sex couples—rose to 75% of cases. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-records-lowest-adoption-figures-since-1990 ### 2026-07-01: Germany's birth rate falls to lowest level since 1997 Germany’s 2025 fertility rate dropped to 1.32 children per woman, the lowest since 1997, with 654,241 births and marked regional differences; German women fell to 1.20, foreign women 1.78. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mecklenburgvorpommern-and-north-rhinewestphalia-record-lowest-birth-rates-in-germany ### 2026-06-25: Divorce filings rise slightly in Germany as marriages hit historic low Germany saw 130,100 divorces in 2025, up 0.6 %, while marriages fell to a historic low of 348,800; over half the divorces involved minors and same‑sex couples rose 10 % year‑on‑year. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-records-slight-rise-in-divorces-in-2025-as-marriage-numbers-hit-historic-low ### 2026-06-10: Märkischer Kreis Weddings Rise While Mainz Divorces Fall in 2025 In 2025 the Märkischer Kreis recorded about 1,600 marriages, rising against a slight NRW decline, while Mainz and Mainz‑Bingen saw a 1.3% drop in divorces, continuing a downward trend. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mrkischer-kreis-weddings-rise-while-mainz-divorces-fall-in-2025 ### 2026-06-09: NRW records slight marriage drop and ongoing birth decline in 2025 NRW reported 76,900 marriages in 2025, down 0.4 %, with May still the top month, and 147,959 births, down 3.1 % for a fourth year, highlighting divergent regional trends. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-rhinewestphalia-records-ongoing-drops-in-marriages-and-births-in-2025 ### 2026-05-12: North Rhine‑Westphalia records ten‑year high in school dropouts without qualifications NRW sees a ten‑year peak in school dropouts, with 4.2% of pupils leaving without a qualification, driven by recent migrant influxes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-rhinewestphalia-records-tenyear-high-in-school-dropouts-without-qualifications --- Cite as: German demographics: marriage, birth, adoption, longevity. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-rhinewestphalia-social-trends