Preliminary figures indicate that approximately 654,300 babies were born in Germany in 2025, which is the lowest birth rate since the postwar period. This marks the fourth consecutive year of decline, reaching the lowest level since 1946. The birth deficit reached a new high with 352,000 more deaths than births.
IBN comment: In the short term, the low birth rate eases pressure on the housing market and the capacity of daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools, as well as on overall government spending. In the long term, however, low birth rates indicate profound structural problems in society, such as:
- A lack of affordable housing, especially for families with children
- Poor work-life balance
- Crises and fears about the future
According to analyses by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), the actual birth rate per woman in Germany is declining, even though many people still want to have children. Building biology can help ensure that people who want or have children feel comfortable and welcome. This includes new, affordable housing options; better work-life balance (e.g. through living and working locally); better childcare services; and self-sufficiency initiatives (e.g. urban gardening and farming). In the Building Biology Information Portal, we regularly feature relevant projects.