dw.com
Germany's Fertility Rate Hits a Low of 1.35 in 2024
Germany's 2024 fertility rate fell to 1.35 children per woman, a 2% decrease from 1.38 in 2023, resulting in 677,117 births; regional differences existed, with the lowest rate in Berlin (1.21) and the highest in Lower Saxony (1.42).
- How did the fertility rate vary across different regions and demographics within Germany?
- The 2024 fertility rate is the lowest since 2006 (1.33). Regional variations existed, with Berlin at 1.21 and Lower Saxony at 1.42. Eastern states showed lower rates (1.27) than western states (1.38).
- What are the potential long-term societal and economic consequences of Germany's declining fertility rate?
- Among German citizens, the fertility rate was 1.23, the lowest since 1996. For foreign citizens, it was 1.84, declining since 2017. The average age of mothers at first birth rose to 30.4 years in 2024, from 29.7 in 2015.
- What was Germany's fertility rate in 2024, and how does this compare to previous years and the EU average?
- In 2024, Germany's fertility rate dropped to 1.35 children per woman, a 2% decrease from 2023. This resulted in 677,117 births, down from 692,989 the previous year. The decline, however, slowed compared to previous years.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents the declining birth rate as a significant issue, highlighting the lowest rate since 2006. The use of phrases like "lowest since" and the repeated emphasis on the decline itself shapes the narrative to focus on the negative trend. While the slowing of the decline is mentioned, the emphasis remains on the overall downward trajectory.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual, presenting statistical data objectively. However, the repeated emphasis on the "decline" and "lowest rates" could be considered slightly negatively loaded. More neutral phrasing could include presenting the data without such strong negative connotations.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the declining birth rate in Germany and makes comparisons to other European countries and previous years. While it mentions regional variations within Germany, it doesn't delve into potential underlying social, economic, or political factors contributing to the decline. For example, the impact of childcare costs, parental leave policies, or societal attitudes towards having children are not explored. Omission of these factors limits the reader's ability to fully understand the complexities of the issue.
Gender Bias
The article presents data disaggregated by citizenship (German vs. foreign), which could inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes. While not overtly biased, analyzing the reasons behind the differences in birth rates between these groups might offer more insightful and less potentially stereotypical conclusions. The article also focuses on the age of mothers at the birth of their first child but does not provide a similar analysis for fathers.
Sustainable Development Goals
A declining birth rate can contribute to a shrinking workforce and slower economic growth, potentially impacting poverty reduction efforts by limiting economic opportunities and increasing strain on social welfare systems. Lower birth rates may also correlate with fewer opportunities for social mobility and increased inequality in the long term.