Overview
- The Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung presented FReDA survey results on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, showing the average child wish for 18–39-year-olds has fallen to about 1.7 for women and 1.6 for men.
- Those wishes remain well below the stated ideal of about 2.2 children and far above the actual birth rate, which fell to 1.32 children per woman in 2025 according to the Federal Statistical Office.
- The study finds that high levels of future anxiety—especially about war, a weakening of democracy, climate change and the economy—are linked to lower child desires, with the most worried reducing intentions by roughly 10 percent.
- Local living conditions matter: satisfaction with housing and with work and income raises the chance of planning a child in the next three years by about five percentage points, while dissatisfaction suppresses short-term family plans.
- Researchers warn that postponing parenthood can turn into permanent childlessness and urge policies beyond cash family benefits, such as more affordable housing, family-friendly workplaces and communication that rebuilds public confidence.