Fertility Trends and Family Policy in Germany: How are they related?

Abstract

Germany has been one of the “lowest low fertility countries” for almost fifty years. For several decades, Germany has also been one of the countries worldwide that spend the most on family policy services, measured in terms of gross domestic product (ca. 3%). During the years 2011 to 2021 Germany has been able to record a moderate increase in its birth rate from 1,39 to 1,58. In 2022, however, the birth rate fell again significantly. Against this background, the article addresses two questions: What are the reasons for the moderate recovery of the birth rate in the last years? What role do family policy measures play in this?