Germany
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Germany's fertility indicators in 2024 show a subtle downward shift in childbearing metrics alongside a rising gap between desired and achieved family size. Completed fertility rate (TMR) fell slightly to 65.7%, continuing a multi-year decline, while the total fertility gap increased to 34.8%, suggesting more women are having fewer children than they ideally want. Childlessness also edged upward to 34.3%, reflecting ongoing demographic challenges.
- Average maternal age remained stable at 30.4 years, consistent with recent years.
- Total births decreased modestly from 692,989 to 677,117, marking a continuation of a slight birth decline.
- Completed family size per mother fell marginally to 2.06 children, close to a five-year average around 2.10.
- Healthy life expectancy saw a reduction by about 3.7 years, from 56.2 to 52.5 years, indicating broader health concerns beyond fertility trends.
In 2024, Germany's fertility and family patterns show modest declines amid stable maternal age and a significant gap in future generations.
- Total maternal fertility rate ranks 12th globally, 11th in Europe
- Average children per mother steady near two, ranking 26th globally
- Average maternal age stable at 30.4 years, ranking 15th globally
- Childlessness rising, ranks 28th globally and 20th in Europe
- Births projected to fall sharply, down 50% by 2077 and 90% by 2199
Key fertility indicators — Germany
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 34.8% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 28 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Germany, completed fertility is 65.7% (2024). It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.1pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 69.2% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (69.2%), today’s TMR is lower by about 3.5pp.
Globally, Germany ranks 12 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Germany ranks 11 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 70.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 72.3%* |
| 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)
In 2024, mothers in Germany had an average of 2.14 children. There has been a modest increase since 2023 (up 0.03). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is broadly stable with an average of 2.13. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.13), completed family size today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Germany ranks 23 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Germany ranks 16 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.01 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.12* |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.11* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.14* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Destatis.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Germany had children at an average age of 30.4 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, AMA has been broadly stable, averaging 30.4 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 30.4 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Germany ranks 15 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Germany ranks 10 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| 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.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 34.8% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.35). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.9pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 29.7%. Looking back to the 2020s (29.7%), the gap is now higher by about 5.1pp.
Globally, Germany ranks 18 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Germany ranks 13 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Germany’s FWG is 29.4% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.8pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 34.0%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (34.0%), the future worker gap today is lower by about 4.6pp.
Globally, Germany ranks 25 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Germany ranks 19 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Germany is 52.5 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.7 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 65.3 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (65.3 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 12.7 years.
Globally, Germany ranks 22 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Germany ranks 15 out of 30 countries for SHL.
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 26 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Germany ranks 19 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2077 - Births down 75% in 2129 - Births down 90% in 2199
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 677,117 in 2024 to 338,558 in 2077, and by 90% to 67,712 in 2199 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
34.3% of women in Germany remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.1pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 30.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (30.8%), today’s level is higher by about 3.5pp.
Globally, Germany ranks 31 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Germany ranks 20 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 27.7%* |
| 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
Total births in Germany were 677,117 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 15,872 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 732,910 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (732,910), total births are now lower by 55,793 births (7.6% decrease).
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Germany’s FWG is 29.4% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.8pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 34.0%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (34.0%), the future worker gap today is lower by about 4.6pp.
Globally, Germany ranks 25 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Germany ranks 19 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
