The birthrate in Germany fell again in 2006 to an average of 1.33 children, giving the country one of Europe's lowest birthrates, the national statistics' office said on Monday.
There were 672,700 children born in Germany last year, 13,100 fewer than in 2005.The birthrate was slightly higher in the former communist East Germany than in the western states.
In 1990, the birthrate in Germany was 1.45 children.
The decline is threatening the future health of Europe's biggest economy.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government has introduced several measures in a bid to boost the number of births.
Hundreds of thousands of additional pre-school creche places are to be created and since January 1, fathers or mothers can take a year's paid maternity leave and their partners two months.
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JAY /J
