37 Percent Less Obstetric Clinics in Saxony - Eastern Germany's birth rate collapse leaves maternity care in crisis

Birth rates in eastern Germany have dropped sharply since reunification in 1990. States like Saxony and Thuringia now face significant population decline, with Saxony losing 12,000 residents in 2024 alone. Alongside this, maternity services have shrunk dramatically, leaving many women with limited access to care.

Before reunification, birth numbers were already falling in both East and West Germany. In 1990, provisional figures showed 175,000 births in the East—far fewer than the 201,000 recorded in the West. This trend continued after 1990, with eastern states experiencing a steeper decline.

In Saxony, the impact on healthcare has been severe. The number of hospitals providing obstetric services has dropped by over a third since 1991. Delivery rooms have also decreased, from 54 facilities in 1991 to just 34 today. Hospital beds in gynaecology and obstetrics have fallen by 73 percent in the same period. Bed occupancy rates tell a similar story. In 2024, only 53.8 percent of obstetric beds in Saxony were in use, compared to 63.8 percent in 1991. Shorter hospital stays for new mothers have contributed to this decline. Access to care has worsened too—only about one in three women in rural or small-town Saxony can now reach a maternity ward within 15 minutes. The overall number of births in Saxony has fallen by roughly one-fifth since 1991. Thuringia has lost even more residents, with a decline of 15,000 in 2024. Both states reflect broader trends across eastern Germany, where low fertility rates continue to shrink the population.

The drop in births and maternity services has left parts of eastern Germany with fewer healthcare options. Rural areas in Saxony now face longer travel times for expectant mothers, while hospitals operate with many empty beds. Without changes, the region's population decline and reduced medical infrastructure are likely to persist.