Germans Are Becoming Fathers Later in Life

Men in Germany were significantly older at the time of childbirth in 2024 than in 1991, according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

In 2024, fathers were on average 34.7 years old when a child was born. Compared with 1991, their average age increased by 3.8 years. More than three decades ago, fathers were, on average, 31 years old when their first child was born.

Women are also having children later in life. Mothers were on average 31.8 years old in 2024, compared with 27.9 years in 1991. Their average age therefore rose by 3.9 years. Fathers were on average 2.9 years older than mothers at the time of childbirth.

The statistics also show that men were, on average, 33.3 years old when they had their first child in 2024. The average age rose to 35.4 years for a second child and 36.6 years for a third child.

Women were on average 30.4 years old at the birth of their first child, 32.5 years old for their second and 33.5 years old for their third.

The figures are based on live births to men aged 15 to 69 and women aged 15 to 49.

(destatis, bak)