Germany Faces Shortage of Over 300,000 Childcare Places

A new study reveals a significant gap in childcare availability for children under three, with West Germany experiencing the largest shortfall.

A study by the Institute of the German Economy finds that 306,000 childcare places are lacking for children under three in 2024.
The shortage affects 13.6% of children in this age group, with West Germany needing 277,900 more places compared to 28,200 in the East.
Despite a decrease of 38,200 places from 2023, the expansion of childcare facilities is progressing slowly.
The study anticipates a future decrease in demand due to declining birth rates, particularly in East Germany.
Recent legislative changes aim to invest nearly four billion euros in improving childcare quality and retaining staff over the next two years.