The day care sector in Germany has shown a steady upward trend from 2013 to 2023, with the number of day care places rising from 26.34 thousand to 33.61 thousand. The year-on-year growth has fluctuated, with notable increases in 2014 (4.19%), 2020 (7.12%), and more moderate growth in the most recent years, 2022 (2.57%) and 2023 (2.36%). Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) averaged 3.55%, indicating a stable expansion despite a few dips, such as the considerable decline in 2018 (-8.06%).
Looking forward, forecasts indicate a continuation of this growth trend, with the number of places expected to reach 37.3 thousand by 2028. The projected five-year CAGR stands at 1.65%, reflecting a more modest but still positive growth, with an overall five-year growth rate of 8.52% from 2024 to 2028.
Future trends to watch for include potential policy changes affecting child care, demographic shifts, and evolving parental preferences, which could impact the demand and capacity for day care places in Germany.
