There is no doubt Hitler wanted a high birth rate. Due to the problems created by the Great
Depression of 1929, the birth rate in Germany had fallen dramatically from 25.9 (births per 1,000), to
17.6. This was due to the poor socio-economic conditions at the time; which discouraged couples
having children as it would have been difficult to afford. In no other industrialised country was there
such a break down in the birth-rate. The falling rate since the 1880’s probably reflects
understandable long-term trends as the German like other European Countries evolved in the
continent, experienced this shift to a greater extent than its neighbours. The especially severe
decline in the 1920’s/30’s probably reflects the impact of WW1, the political and economic turmoil
following the war, the Allied Mandated War reparations within the Treaty of Versailles and the
worldwide economic depression.
Hitler’s aim was to raise this figure by promoting traditional roles and had as many children as
possible. This was since he wanted a bigger workforce for the long-term; along with his youth system
which would allow him to consolidate his power in the future. Moreover, he needed more soldiers
to serve the army, as the newly gained territories needed as many German soldiers as possible.
Furthermore, Hitler was able to massage the figures, and not include women in the statistics, which
reduced the “unemployment rate” significantly.
Did he succeed? No, he was only able to raise the figure (Births per 1,000) from 17.6 (1930), to 19.2
(1938), still lower than the birth rate under the Weimar Republic. This was also evident as Hitler
contradicted his ideas upon women adopting traditional roles, and placed the “Duty Year”;
competing against those values due to the need for labour at factories while men were conscripted
to war.
Depression of 1929, the birth rate in Germany had fallen dramatically from 25.9 (births per 1,000), to
17.6. This was due to the poor socio-economic conditions at the time; which discouraged couples
having children as it would have been difficult to afford. In no other industrialised country was there
such a break down in the birth-rate. The falling rate since the 1880’s probably reflects
understandable long-term trends as the German like other European Countries evolved in the
continent, experienced this shift to a greater extent than its neighbours. The especially severe
decline in the 1920’s/30’s probably reflects the impact of WW1, the political and economic turmoil
following the war, the Allied Mandated War reparations within the Treaty of Versailles and the
worldwide economic depression.
Hitler’s aim was to raise this figure by promoting traditional roles and had as many children as
possible. This was since he wanted a bigger workforce for the long-term; along with his youth system
which would allow him to consolidate his power in the future. Moreover, he needed more soldiers
to serve the army, as the newly gained territories needed as many German soldiers as possible.
Furthermore, Hitler was able to massage the figures, and not include women in the statistics, which
reduced the “unemployment rate” significantly.
Did he succeed? No, he was only able to raise the figure (Births per 1,000) from 17.6 (1930), to 19.2
(1938), still lower than the birth rate under the Weimar Republic. This was also evident as Hitler
contradicted his ideas upon women adopting traditional roles, and placed the “Duty Year”;
competing against those values due to the need for labour at factories while men were conscripted
to war.
