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Deutsche Welle

Germany is waking up to the fact that a demographic revolution is underway. Not only are people living longer, but Germans are having fewer babies, meaning the population is both shrinking and ageing.

There are various reasons for Germany's declining birth rate -- from career pressures to lack of daycare to lifestyle choices. The problem facing politicians is how to counteract this trend, and transform Germany into a more family-friendly country.

But even if the government succeeds in inspiring more people to have children, will the change come soon enough to ward off the population crisis demographers are predicting will set in around 2020?

DW-WORLD looks at the stories around the issue of Germany's declining birth rate and what it means for the future of the nation.