Main article: New states of Germany About 1. This has been attributed to a "demographic shock": people not only had fewer children, they were also less likely to marry or divorce after the end of the GDR; the biographic options of the citizens of the former GDR had increased. Young motherhood seemed to be less attractive and the age of the first birth rose sharply. In , the East's fertility rate 1. In , the TFR was 1.
Until family politics in the federal republic was compensatory, which means that poor families received more family benefits such as the Erziehungsgeld than rich ones. In the so-called Elterngeld was introduced. According to Christoph Butterwegge the Elterngeld was meant to "motivate highly educated women to have more children"; the poor on the other hand were disadvantaged by the Elterngeld, and now received lower child benefits than the middle classes. Persons holding a college degree, persons older than 30 years and parents with only one child benefited the most.
(mh=7MC9DdxQC75faJrv)0.jpg "Babes Germany")
Single parents and young parents did not benefit. Mothers are more likely to work and as a result less likely to be economically deprived than they used to be. The birth rate of college-educated women has risen. In the new federal states the fertility rate of college-educated women is now higher than that of those without college degrees.
Differences in value priorities and the better availability of childcare in the eastern states are discussed as possible reasons.
Three population pyramids of Germany: in , and Population pyramid of Germany in
