Heidenau in crisis: declining birth rate threatens to endanger the future of the daycare center!

Heidenau in crisis: declining birth rate threatens to endanger the future of the daycare center!

The city of Heidenau is experiencing a significant decline in the birth rate, which not only has a significant impact on the demographic landscape, but also on the planning of daycare places. In 2023, only 99 children were born here, and the numbers continued their downward trend: in 2024 this number fell to 80 births, while in the first half of 2025 only 43 children saw the light of day. The current average of seven births per month is a drastic decrease compared to 2015 and 2017, when 162 children were born each. This trend is being closely monitored by the city administration, as birth rates are crucial for planning needs in daycare centers until mid-2027 Sächsische.de reports.

The reasons for this decline are complex. A crucial factor is inadequate housing construction, which makes it difficult to attract new families. The city of Heidenau has seen a decline in immigration in recent years, which could contribute to slowing growth. Price developments in residential construction make the situation even more difficult, as planned construction areas cannot be implemented by July 2027. Although no daycare closures are currently planned, such an option cannot be ruled out if the decline in births continues.

Daycare expansion under pressure

In the period before 2021, the expansion of daycare centers was enormous - almost 800,000 births were registered in 2021, which resulted in a massive expansion of childcare places. But with the decline in births, which has been visible since 2022, the situation is now completely different. In 2023, the number of births fell to under 700,000, a decrease of 100,000 in just two years. These developments have noticeable effects, not only in Heidenau, but also in eastern Germany, where a greater reduction in daycare places is expected. In West Germany, however, the lack of space could decrease, as DJI shows.

The situation is particularly challenging due to the shortage of skilled workers in child and youth welfare. Despite a low unemployment rate among educators, childcare workers and social workers, the number of job vacancies remains at a high level. In recent years, this has led to a high level of sickness among staff and the impact of unfilled positions on the quality of care. In the long term, this can also have a negative impact on the legal entitlement to a daycare place, which is valid from a child's first birthday.

A look into the future

The city administration of Heidenau has now received an application from the CDU/FDP faction. This requires comprehensive information about the condition of the daycare centers, the running costs as well as the investments and the personnel and material costs. This data should be presented to the city council by May 2026 in order to be able to negotiate further planning of the daycare centers and possible adjustments on the basis of reliable information.

What happens next remains exciting. Heidenau could be facing a turning point in terms of daycare places, depending on the birth rate, the housing situation and the stability of the supply of skilled workers in the coming years. The coming months and years will show whether the city can respond optimally to the challenges.