Core Viewpoint - Germany's fertility rate has declined to 1.35 in 2024, marking the lowest level in nearly 17 years, raising concerns about long-term demographic changes [1][2][3] Group 1: Fertility Rate Trends - The total fertility rate in Germany decreased by 2% from 1.38 in 2023 to 1.35 in 2024, the lowest since 2006 [1][3] - The fertility rate has shown a downward trend since reaching 1.58 in 2021, remaining below the replacement level of 2.1 [2][3] - The decline in fertility rates has accelerated, with rates dropping by 8% in 2022 and 7% in 2023 [3] Group 2: Demographic Implications - The current fertility rate of 1.35 has breached the UN's "ultra-low" threshold of 1.4, indicating a potentially irreversible trend [3] - The fertility rate for German women has fallen to 1.23, the lowest since 1996, while the rate for foreign women in Germany is 1.84, also down by 2% from 2023 [3] Group 3: Comparative Fertility Rates in Europe - Other European countries like Estonia and Austria have also seen fertility rates drop below 1.4, joining Spain, Greece, and Italy among others [3] - Bulgaria had the highest fertility rate in the EU at 1.81 in 2023, while Malta (1.06) and Spain (1.12) had the lowest [3] Group 4: Global Context - South Korea has the lowest fertility rate globally, recorded at 0.75 in 2024 [4]