Fertility Rate in Germany

Decreasing Fertility Rate in Germany

Compared to the rest of the European Union, Germany has seen a significant decrease in its birthrate. As of 2005, the birthrate in Germany was reported at 1.36 children per woman, a major decrease from its rate ten years earlier of 1.24. The current fertility rate in Germany ranks as one of the lowest birthrates in the world. This decreasing birthrate is thought to have resulted from several attitude changes amongst women, particularly women of child-bearing age. Various causes for these changes in women’s attitudes towards having children have been reported such as, economic uncertainty, later marriages, and a desire for a different lifestyle.

The Effect of Reunification

After the reunification of Germany, women from the East experienced these changes at greater rates, primarily due to the increased unemployment rate they encountered. In response to the dramatic increase in the unemployment rate for East German women, these women have begun to abandon marriage and childrearing in their struggle to find market work. For example, the birthrate in the East dropped from 12.1 per 1,000 population in 1989 to 5.1 in 1994.

Attitudes amongst Men and Women in Germany

In addition to attitudinal changes amongst women, men have also influenced the decreasing fertility rate. One study reported that men in modern Germany may be scared to start families, assuming it would infringe upon their ability to further their career goals. This study also revealed that whether it is women who currently want children or women that want to put off childbirth, both agree that better government family policies would encourage them to raise a family. Some examples of these policies that were cited amongst most respondents were greater financial support, improved childcare, more part-time jobs created for parents, and flexible working hours for employed parents.

Hope for the Future of the German Population

Currently the birthrate in Germany remains very low, especially compared to the rest of European Union. For example, as of 2005 Germany’s fertility rate was reported at 1.36 compared to an average of 1.52 for 25 countries in The European Union. However if the government took action to create these policies mentioned above there may be less resistance amongst Germans to start families.

References

Staff. June 29, 2006. "Study: Men in Germany Are Scared to Start Families."
Germany:RDeutsche Welle, Retrieved 12/3, 2006,
(http://www.dwworld.de/dw/article/0,2144,2071657,00.html.)

"Total Fertility Rate." 2006. Luxembourg, Germany: Eurostat, Retrieved 12/6,
2006 (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page? pageid=1334,490920791334
49092794& dad=portak& schema=PORTAL).