POPLINE Document Number: 101266
Author(s):
Hohn C
Schwarz K
Source citation:
In: Demographic and social effects of population policies in Europe, edited by Henry P. David and Daniel Pierotti. Copenhagen, Denmark, World Health Organization [WHO], Regional Office for Europe, 1993. :17-8.
Abstract:
Fertility in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was around replacement level until about 1975, after which, even with population policies and family policy incentives, fertility has remained below replacement. It is likely that below replacement fertility will continue and be compensated by immigration. Uncontrolled immigration and integration of immigrants should be the future policy focus. In 1965, fertility was 2.54 in the GDR and 2.51 in the FRG; by 1975, fertility had declined to 1.54 in the GDR and 1.45 in the FRG. Fertility of the 1930 birth cohort was 2.20 in the GDR and 2.15 in the FRG; the decline by the 1940 birth cohort was 1.98 in the GDR and 1.97 in the FRG. Birth cohorts in 1950 had a fertility of 1.79 in the GDR and 1.5 in the FRG; there was a modest increase of 0.09 in the 1960 birth cohort. The GDR government intervened in the mid-1970s with measures to encourage fertility of 2 or 3 children per woman. Improvements in child care for working mothers continued until 1990; the state paid for 80% of child care facilities. Child care was available for children aged up to 10 years and older for the entire day. Women in the GDR had a labor force participation rate of 80-90%, and 90% of all children use the centers. In contrast, the FRG also encouraged development of child care facilities, but contributed only 40% toward costs. The FRG does not have a formal population policy, because of the history of pronatalist policies under Nazi Germany. Fertility has been 1.4 in the FRG for a number of years, and about 24% of the population has no children. The effect of the GDR's policies was a slight improvement in 1980 to 1.94, but also high rates of out-of-wedlock births, very early marriage, and a high rate of remarriage after divorce. Fertility continued to decline thereafter to 1.56 in 1989 and 1.31 for first and second children. The state may need children for stability and survival, but fertility had always been a family decision. Change is unlikely because contraceptives and abortion are easily available and the total costs of child rearing cannot be paid by the state. Women's roles have changed, and both men and women want to have options in their careers. There has been a decline in sociocultural pressure for children and greater acceptance of unmarried and childless persons.
Keywords:
Germany, Federal Republic OfIndex page
German Democratic Republic
Population Policy
Fertility Rate
Family Policy
Changes
Europe, Central
Europe
Developed Countries
Social Policy
Policy
Birth Rate
Fertility Measurements
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Social Change