Parental allowance: Saxony remains the leader in paternity rates

Saxony continues to have the highest proportion of fathers receiving parental allowance in Germany. Almost 30 percent of benefit recipients were fathers last year, according to the State Statistical Office. This means that, as in previous years, the Free State is the nationwide leader. Baden-Württemberg (28.1 percent) and Bavaria (27.8 percent) rank behind the Free State. The lowest proportion of fathers in 2024 was in Saarland (20.6 percent).

In total, however, fewer and fewer parents in Saxony are receiving parental allowance. According to the statisticians, 63,912 parents claimed the benefits in the previous year, a good 8,000 fewer than in 2023 and even 26,600 fewer than in 2018.

Significant decline in births

The number of recipients nationwide also fell by around 95,000 people or 5.4 percent compared to 2023. By comparison, the number of births fell by around 15 percent in the same period, according to preliminary figures. Parental allowance refers to the wage replacement benefit that mothers and fathers receive after the birth of a child if they stay at home.

The average duration of planned parental allowance receipt for women in 2024 remained unchanged at 14.8 months. In contrast, the average duration of parental allowance for men was significantly shorter at 3.8 months.

Discussion about parental allowance

From April 2025, parental allowance will only be paid to single parents and couples with an annual taxable income of no more than 175,000 euros. This new limit applies if the child is born on or after April 1. The limit had already been lowered to 250,000 euros in April 2024. Before that, it had been 300,000 euros. In view of these savings, there has recently been a discussion about the complete abolition of parental allowance.