The number of babies born in Germany last year fell to the lowest level since postwar records began in 1946, as Europe’s largest economy faces a worsening demographic crunch.
Just over 654,000 babies were born in 2025, compared with 1.36mn at the peak of the baby boom in 1964, according to data released by the country’s statistical office on Tuesday.
With almost 1.01mn people passing away, the difference between deaths and births rose to more than 352,000 in 2025, the highest level in postwar history.
Germany has one of the bleakest demographics in Europe, with its population expected to shrink about 5 per cent by 2050 compared with 2025. A rapidly contracting labour force is expected to weigh on growth that has already stagnated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 caused a sharp rise in energy costs.