Germany’s total fertility rate, a key indicator of births per woman, has decreased to 1.35 in 2024, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This represents a two percent decline compared to 2023, when the rate stood at 1.38 children per woman, adjusted for population changes indicated by the 2022 census. The slowdown in the decline marks a significant moderation from the eight and seven percent drops recorded in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
A total of 677,117 children were born in Germany in 2024, a decrease of 15,872 or two percent compared to the previous year.
Fertility rates varied across German states, ranging from a low of 1.21 in Berlin to 1.42 in Lower Saxony. Rates were notably lower in eastern states (1.27 children per woman) compared to western states (1.38 children per woman). Brandenburg recorded the highest fertility rate among eastern states, at 1.34 children per woman.
Every German state experienced a decrease in fertility rates in 2024. Thuringia saw the most substantial decline, with a seven percent drop from 1.33 to 1.24 children per woman. Baden-Württemberg recorded the smallest decrease, just one percent, moving from 1.41 to 1.39 children per woman.
The total fertility rate among women with German citizenship fell to 1.23 children per woman in 2024, a level not seen since 1996 when it reached 1.22.
Fertility rates among women with foreign citizenship also declined, reaching 1.84 children per woman, a two percent decrease from the prior year. This marks a nearly continuous decline since 2017.
Analysis of completed family sizes, based on women born up to 1975, reveals that women born in 1975, reaching the statistical definition of the end of childbearing age at 49 in 2024, had an average of 1.58 children. This contrasts with earlier generations born in the 1960s, where completed family sizes reached a historical low of 1.49 children per woman. Women born in the 1970s, however, are bringing more children into the world, particularly after the age of 30.
In 2024, the average age of mothers at birth was 31.8 years, while fathers were on average 34.7 years old. This continues a trend where the age of mothers has hovered around this value since 2021, with the age of fathers remaining consistent. Overall, the average age of mothers has increased by 3.9 years since 1991 (27.9 years) and the average age of fathers has risen by 3.8 years (31.0 years). The average age of mothers having their first child was 30.4 years, with fathers averaging 33.3 years, maintaining a difference of 2.9 years. Parental ages regarding first births have been trending upwards within the last ten years.