Germany
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, Germany saw a slight decline in its total maternal reproduction rate to 65.7%, continuing a gradual downward trend from the previous year and over the longer term compared to the 2000s. Meanwhile, the total childlessness rate nudged upward to 34.3%, reflecting a steady rise in childless individuals recently.
- Children per mother remain stable at just above two, showing only a minor decrease from 2023 and a modest increase since the 2000s.
- Average maternal age at birth rose marginally to 30.4 years, maintaining a long-term upward trajectory that places Germany above the global and European averages.
- The Birthgap Generational Indicator increased slightly to 34.8%, indicating a somewhat higher generational reproduction rate than seen in the early 2000s.
- Total births decreased by nearly 16,000, continuing a trend toward fewer births despite relatively stable family size compositions.
In 2024, Germany shows a slight decline in fertility and births, with a stable yet aging maternal demographic.
- Completed fertility at 65.7%, ranking 11th in Europe
- Children per mother steady at 2.06, slightly above 2000s average
- Average maternal age highest in Europe at 30.4 years
- Childlessness rising to 34.3%, ranking 21st in Europe
- Births projected to halve by 2077 without migration
Key fertility indicators — Germany
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 34.3% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.06 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.4 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 34.8% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 28 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Germany stands at 65.7% in 2024, marking a slight decrease of 1.1 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the total motherhood prevalence rate (TMR) has been on a downward trend, averaging 69.2% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 69.6%, this is a decline of approximately 3.9 percentage points. Germany holds the 11th position globally out of 38 countries and also ranks 11th within Europe among 31 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 70.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 72.4%* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 66.8%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 65.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Children per mother (CPM)
Germany's children per mother (CPM) stood at 2.06 in 2024, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.02 from 2023. Over the last five years, the CPM has remained relatively steady, averaging 2.10 during this period. Compared to the 2000s average of 1.99, the current rate is approximately 0.07 higher.
Globally, Germany holds the 14th position among 38 countries, while within Europe it ranks 11th out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.01 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.11* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.08* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.06* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 30.4 years in 2024, showing minimal change from 30.3 in 2023. This figure has been gradually increasing over the last five years, maintaining an average of 30.4 years during that period. Compared to the 2000s average of 28.66 years, the current AMA is 1.7 years higher. Germany holds the 16th position among 38 countries worldwide and ranks 11th out of 31 within Europe.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.80 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.20* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.30* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 30.40* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 34.8% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.35. This marks a slight increase of 1.9 percentage points from 2023. Over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the TFG has shown an upward trend, averaging 29.7%. When compared to the average from the 2000s, which was 33.1%, the current value is about 1.7 percentage points higher. Germany holds the 18th position among 38 countries worldwide and ranks 13th out of 31 within Europe in this metric.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 31.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.1%* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.9%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 34.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Germany’s SHL stands at 52.5 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 3.7 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 65.3 years. Compared with the 2000s average (52.8 years), SHL is now close to that long-run level.
Globally, Germany ranks 18 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 16 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Germany, there would be 28 great-grandchildren, representing a -72.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Germany ranks 18 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 13 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
Using the birth trends observed in 2024, the total number of births is projected to decrease from 677,117 in that year to 338,558 by 2077, marking a 50% reduction. This downward trend is expected to continue, reaching a 90% decline by 2199 with births falling to 67,712, assuming no migration factors are involved.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The total childlessness rate (TCR) in Germany has reached 34.3% in 2024, marking a modest increase of 1.1 percentage points from 2023. Over the last five years, there has been a clear upward trend, with the average for 2020–2024 standing at 30.8%. This figure surpasses the 2000s average of 30.4% by roughly 3.9 percentage points. On a global scale, Germany is positioned 28th among 38 countries, while within Europe it ranks 21st out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 27.6%* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.2%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 34.3%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Total births
In 2024, Germany recorded 677,117 total births, which represents a decrease of 15,872 from the previous year, 2023. Birth numbers have been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average of 732,910 births annually during this period. When compared to the 2000s average of 664,920, the current figure shows an increase of 12,197 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 677.7k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 773.1k* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 693.0k* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 677.1k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Germany’s Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) stands at 29.4% in 2024, marking a decrease of 3.8 percentage points from the previous year. Over the latest five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the BRI has shown a downward trend, averaging 34.0%. This figure is considerably lower than the average recorded during the 2000s, which was 46.3%, representing a drop of approximately 16.8 percentage points. On the global stage, Germany holds 23rd place out of 35 countries in this measure, while within Europe, it ranks 20th among 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 47.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 38.8%* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.2%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
