Childlessness rises among German men, new figures show

A growing number of German men are remaining childless, with particularly stark increases observed in the prime family-forming years. The proportion of men aged 30 to 34 who do not have children has surged from 42% in 1980 to 69% by 2024. In the slightly older 35-to-39 age bracket, the rate has more than doubled, climbing from 22% to 54% over the same period, meaning over half of men in this group are without offspring.

This trend coincides with a decline in men living in stable partnerships. In 1986, a study by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) found 93% of men were in committed relationships. By 2024, this figure had dropped by 14 percentage points to 79%.

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When we juxtapose the desire for children and the realization of that desire, it must be said that it is often the difficult framework conditions that exist today.

Experts attribute this development to evolving societal conditions. Claudia Rahnfeld, a professor of Applied Social Sciences, points to structural barriers that delay or prevent family formation. Financial security, established careers, and suitable housing are often postponed, leading to the wish for children remaining unfulfilled for many. "When we juxtapose the desire for children and the realization of that desire, it must be said that it is often the difficult framework conditions that exist today," Rahnfeld stated.

Beyond economic factors, a societal shift in partner selection plays a crucial role. Rahnfeld notes that both men and women are now more selective. She suggests that as women gain greater emancipation, there is a corresponding rise in involuntary childlessness among men, a pattern observed previously in Scandinavian countries. "Emanzipated women choose very, very consciously with whom they want to have children," Rahnfeld explained.

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Emanzipated women choose very, very consciously with whom they want to have children.