Germany’s Family Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, is happy to report that the number of babies born has increased for the second year in a row. From a 60-year low of 673,000 in 2006, births increased to 685,000 in 2007 and 690,000 last year. At 1.4, Germany’s birth rate is one of the lowest in western Europe.

Mrs von der Leyen, herself the mother of seven children, said the rise in births was especially marked among women in their 30s. She put it down to a new confidence among young people that “society will not simply leave them behind as parents” -- a reference to a revision of the paid parental leave scheme in 2007 which included new benefits for German fathers, allowing them to stay home with their children.

According to surveys, 56 per cent… click here to read whole article and make comments