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Germany's Falling Birth Rate: A Long-Term Crisis
Germany's birth rate is plummeting, creating long-term challenges to the workforce and pension system. The decline is more significant in East Germany. Experts suggest both policy changes and fundamental shifts in societal attitudes toward families are needed.
French
Germany
Germany Labour MarketEconomic ImpactDemographicsSocial ChangeBirth Rate
Ifo InstituteOffice Fédéral Des Statistiques
Joachim Ragnitz
- What is the current birth rate in Germany and how does it compare to previous years?
- Germany's birth rate has fallen to 1.35 children per woman, down from 1.58 in 2021, impacting long-term workforce and pension system sustainability.
- What are the long-term societal and economic consequences of this declining birth rate in Germany?
- While reduced numbers of women of childbearing age contribute to the decline, the fall in the birth rate itself is a significant factor, suggesting a change in societal attitudes and priorities.
- What factors, beyond a shrinking number of women of childbearing age, are contributing to the decrease in births?
- Factors contributing to the falling birth rate include the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the resulting inflation causing financial strain on young families delaying or forgoing having children.
- What does the ifo Institute suggest needs to change to reverse the trend, and how realistic are such changes in the short term?
- The ifo Institute suggests a fundamental societal shift in attitudes towards families and children is necessary. This would require long-term changes in both policy and societal views, not easily achieved.
- How does the decline in birth rates differ between East and West Germany, and what are some potential reasons for this difference?
- The decline is more pronounced in East Germany, where the drop in births is 17.5% between 2021 and 2023 compared to nearly 13% in West Germany. This is partly attributed to more young women leaving East Germany for better opportunities.