Germany Experiences Lowest Birth Rate Since Post-War Era in 2025

Germany's birth rate has declined for the fourth consecutive year, reaching its lowest level since 1946. According to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office, approximately 654,300 children were born in Germany in 2025, marking a 3.4% decrease compared to the previous year. This trend has resulted in a significant population imbalance, as deaths outnumbered births by about 352,000, representing the largest birth deficit since World War II.

The decline in births is particularly pronounced in the eastern federal states, where the number of births fell by 4.5% compared to a 3.2% decline in the western states. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern experienced the steepest drop, with an 8.4% reduction in births. In contrast, Hamburg stood out as the only region with a slight increase in birth numbers, registering a growth of 0.5%.

Experts attribute this ongoing reduction to two main factors: a decrease in the number of women within the prime childbearing age group, due to smaller birth cohorts from the 1990s, and a continued drop in the average number of children per woman since 2022. Despite these declines, the birth structure has remained stable, with about 46.6% firstborns, 34.8% second-borns, and 18.6% third or subsequent children.

Comparatively, other European Union countries like France, Austria, Italy, and Sweden also witnessed decreases in birth numbers, while Spain, the Netherlands, and Finland showed signs of stabilization.

Analysts caution that even under optimistic scenarios, Germany's birth numbers are unlikely to reach the high levels observed in 2021, when around 795,000 children were born. The final figures for 2025 are expected to be published in July 2026, providing more comprehensive insights into this demographic trend.