A Germany Without Children? | Germany | News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 27.04.2005

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Germany

A Germany Without Children?

Click here for DW-WORLD's dossier on Germany's struggle to deal with declining birth rates.

Germany's generational imbalance

Germany's generational imbalance

Germany is waking up to the fact that a demographic revolution is underway. Not only are people living longer, but Germans are having fewer babies, meaning the population is both shrinking and ageing.

There are various reasons for Germany's declining birth rate -- from career pressures to lack of daycare to lifestyle choices. The problem facing politicians is how to counteract this trend, and transform Germany into a more family-friendly country.

But even if the government succeeds in inspiring more people to have children, will the change come soon enough to ward off the population crisis demographers are predicting will set in around 2020?

DW-WORLD looks at the stories around the issue of Germany's declining birth rate and what it means for the future of the nation.

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Gerd's Family Policy Gets Down to Business

By 2020, Germany will have Europe's lowest percentage of young people. Wednesday's conference on family policy took a close look at the economic repercussions of the declining birth rate. (April 14, 2005)  

Study: Men in Germany Are Scared to Start Families

Low birth rates and the ageing population in Germany have dominated media in discussions about how to pay for health care and social security. Now, a study says it is men who are primarily responsible for fewer births. (june 28, 2006)  

The Challenge of Demographic Change in Old, Shriveling Europe

After decades of ignorance, public awareness of demographic change in Europe is growing. (Jan. 23, 2006)  

The Dumbing Down of Germany

A German politician was roundly criticized recently for commenting that only the "wrong people" were having children in Germany. But he was giving voice to an uncomfortable truth about the country’s demographic shift. (April 21, 2005)  

German Women Take the Rap for Declining Birth Rate

The government's family report paints an unexpected picture of contemporary women. They're not working as much as they should but that's not because they're raising families -- they're just too busy enjoying themselves. (April 25, 2006)  

Politicians Discuss Pension Cuts for Childless Germans

New statistics confirming the declining birth rate have sent Germany in to a state of panic, amid a growing consensus that pensions should be increased for people with children and reduced for those without. (March 16, 2006)  

New Parenting Legislation Focuses on Fathers

The falling birth rate is forcing the German government to look for ways to sponsor family-building. A new child care bill would give fathers an extra incentive to stay home: money. (April 22, 2006)  

Opinion: How to Boost the German Birth Rate

The birth rate in Germany has plummeted to the lowest level since 1945, creating a demographic crunch that will create massive problems for the social welfare state. So what else is new, wonders DW's Rolf Wenkel. (March 16, 2006)  

Encouraging Germans to Have More Kids

Saddled with the lowest birth rate in Europe, Germany is toddling towards shifting the trend. Earlier this year the government passed a law to increase both the quality and quantity of child care opportunities. (April 27, 2005)  

Work-Life Balance Gets Boost in Germany

In Germany, where kids are seen as career killers, over 40 percent of highly qualified women choose to remain childless. But a competition to find the nation's most family-friendly companies is hoping to change that. (April 11, 2005)