Decline in Birth Rates and Matrimonial Ceremonies in Berlin and Brandenburg - Decreasing number of births and weddings in Berlin and Brandenburg regions
In 2024, both Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany, witnessed a decrease in the number of births and marriages, mirroring a broader societal trend of declining birth rates and changing family dynamics across Europe.
According to data, the average number of children per woman of childbearing age in Berlin fell to 1.20 in 2024, down from 1.23 in the previous year. In Brandenburg, the average dropped to 1.33, a figure that has remained consistent since 2007. For German women, the average number of children per woman of childbearing age reached a record low of 1.03 in 2024, the lowest level since 1995.
The decrease in marriages was also significant. In Brandenburg, there were 10,920 marriages in 2024, 975 fewer than in 2023. Berlin saw a decrease of 1.6% or 186 marriages, with 11,243 registered in 2024, the lowest number since 1991.
Interestingly, the number of women of childbearing age increased in Brandenburg in 2024. However, this increase was not matched by a corresponding rise in births, suggesting that other factors may be at play.
Demographic changes, economic factors, cultural and social shifts, immigration and integration, and policy and support systems are all potential contributors to these trends. Economic uncertainty and changes in social norms, such as increased female participation in the workforce and a focus on personal career development, could be influencing decisions about starting a family and getting married.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shifts during the early 2020s is likely to have had a significant impact on birth and marriage rates in many countries, including Germany.
In Brandenburg, there were 20,100 more deaths than births in 2024, which is the second-highest death surplus since reunification. Berlin also had a surplus of deaths for the third consecutive year in 2024, with a total of 3,937 more deaths than births.
It's worth noting that while foreign women still have a higher average number of children per woman of childbearing age, this figure decreased in 2024, although it remains significantly higher at 1.59.
In conclusion, while the specific data for 2024 is not yet available, the trends observed in Berlin and Brandenburg align with broader societal trends and economic factors that likely contribute to fluctuations in birth and marriage rates. Historical data from previous years would typically show a gradual decline in these rates due to cultural and economic changes.
- The 'employment policy' in Germany could potentially be influencing decisions about starting a family and getting married, as changes in social norms such as increased female participation in the workforce and a focus on personal career development might be discouraging family growth.
- To support family health and wellness, it would be beneficial to implement policies that balance job opportunities, parenting responsibilities, and care for family members, incorporating aspects of the 'community policy' and 'family-health'.
- Encouraging fitness and exercise, and providing resources for health-and-wellness could be a key component of the 'employment policy' to support workers in maintaining a balanced lifestyle and potentially increasing their likelihood of starting families.
