Birth decline in the Werra-Meißner-Kreis: Alarming trends for families

Birth decline in the Werra-Meißner-Kreis: Alarming trends for families

Werra-Meißner-Kreis, Deutschland - The number of births in the Werra-Meißner district recorded a decline again last year. This primarily affects the second and third births, which represents a worrying development. Dr. Christine Seitz, chief physician for obstetrics and gynecology at the Werra-Meißner Clinic, makes it clear that the distribution of the giving birth shows a clear trend: In the past year, 43% first-time and 57% multi-bothering, during this value in the previous year, 38% of first-time and 61% more-fermenting was. Such developments are not an isolated case, but part of a larger trend: Germany has been experiencing the third birth decline since reunification since 2021, such as HNA reports .

Numbers and reasons

The total number of births in the Werra-Meißner Clinic fluctuates between 350 and 425 per year in the past ten years. Economic considerations and personal ideas play a crucial role in family planning. According to estimates, a family with a child costs between 150,000 and 180,000 euros to the age of majority, which could deter many potential parents. In addition, there are social factors, medical reasons and, last but not least, fears about the future that raise many doubts about starting a family. The average desire to have children per woman has been below the necessary maintenance level of 2.1 children per woman for decades. According to the latest surveys, the number in the Werra-Meißner district is only 1.46 children per woman, a decline compared to 1.57 in 2016/2017.

The falling number of births also has an impact on the local infrastructure. Daycare centers and primary schools could have to adapt in the long term. This means that crib groups may be closed and smaller primary schools will have difficulty finding enough students. In addition, the shortage of skilled workers in the social area and in the craft could increase.

rising caesarean section rates

An even less pleasant development is emerging in the area of ​​delivery: the Caesarean section is increasing in the Werra-Meißner district. The caesarean section rate in Germany is currently 32.6% - the highest value since the start of the surveys. In the Eschweger Clinic, for example, the rate is around 25%. A trend that is supported by the experience of the doctor: Inside: Fears of complications in spontaneous births and the desire for greater predictability, many women drive to consider a childcare by caesarean section. According to Werra-Rundschau , however Reasons should not play a role in choosing the form of delivery.

social changes

These developments are in line with a nationwide trend. A continuous decline in birth rate has been observed in Germany since the 1990s. From a high in the late 1990s, when 905,675 children were born, the number fell to around 680,000 by 2024, the lowest value since 2014. Against this background, the counseling center for pregnancy, family and sexuality of the AWO district association Werra-Meißner offers support with questions about family planning in order to counteract the tendencies to further reduce the birth rate.

By certification of the Werra-Meißner district as a "family-friendly district", an attempt is made to improve the living conditions for families through favorable living space and good care options. This could have a positive impact on the birth rate in the long term.

we therefore share the hope that these measures and offers can stop or even reverse change in the birth landscape. If we are honest, there is an important concern for the future of our region.