Germany and its approximately 81 million inhabitants illustrate the demographic trends experienced by many developed countries. Populations stagnate and begin to decline, which would lead to a shrinking workforce and a change in age distribution as the number of older people increases. In the case of Germany, the decline is relatively small, but it raises the question of how to ensure future population stability. The causes of the decline may be linked to Germany's economic development and its social consequences. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayGermany's population is aging; the median age is around forty-six. According to the CIA World Factbook, there are now a larger proportion of Germans in the 45-49 and 50-54 age groups and there are fewer people in the younger age groups. This higher age structure is indicative of a declining population and, since 2014, Germany's has been slowly declining at a rate of -0.18 percent. Even with an average infant mortality rate of 3.46 deaths per 1,000 births – among the lowest in the world – there are simply not enough births to replace the existing population. Despite the low birth rate, the decline has remained slow due to the net migration rate of 1.06 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants. The migration rate has decreased compared to the last decade, but is expected to gradually increase in the coming years. Of the migrants who entered the country in 2013, most came from other European Union member states. As for the number of German citizens who emigrated, most remained in the EU, but at least six thousand chose to settle in the United States. Illegal immigration from Germany to the United States is negligible. Germany has the largest economy in Europe and has a strong history of economic development. Its GDP (gross domestic product), estimated at more than $3.2 trillion (USD), is the fifth highest in the world. In Germany, women have also benefited from evolving movements for equality and women's rights. The German women's rights movement in some ways paralleled the plight of American women. Both gained the right to vote in the early 20th century, and both were empowered by war and postwar responsibilities. Today, German women occupy a societal position alongside men, with the chancellor being further proof. The success of the German economy and its movements for equality posed challenges for maintaining its population and economic well-being. Germany's total fertility rate stands at 1.4 births per woman, below replacement level, and the crude birth rate is at 8 per 1,000 inhabitants, below the death rate. The increased opportunity to obtain an education and find their own career has made marriage and raising children a less important priority for many women. Thus, the average age at the first birth of women is relatively high, around thirty years. The increased prevalence of contraception and family planning services plays a similar role in decreasing fertility: approximately 66.2% of German couples practice some form of contraception. The common view among many family-oriented Germans is that juggling work and children leads to neglect of one or the other. Households therefore remain small. In an attempt to combat the negative fertility trend, the German government has.