The map shows the percentage of children in various European countries born to parents who are not married.
While the map is in German, the colours are fairly obvious, the darker the red the greater the share of children born outside of marriage is.
The data is from 2007, so is a little old but does show some interesting differences both between countries and within them.
The most noticeable difference of all is probably that between the former East and West Germany. In the former East there are many areas where more than 60% of children are born outside of marriage, whereas in the West there are none.
The Top 5 countries in terms of children born outside of marriage are (all over 50%):
The Top 5 countries with the fewest children born outside of marriage are (all under 20%):
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Croatia
- Macedonia
- Switzerland
For more on this subject have a look at the following books:
- Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages: A Compelling Social History of Medieval Life, Women, and Children in Europe
- Children of International Migrants in Europe: Comparative
- The Social Meaning of Children and Fertility Change in Europe
- European Childhoods: Cultures, Politics and Childhoods in Europe
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AJS says
Rather pointless and obsolete map in a world where marriage and getting children are decoupled.
Michael says
Would there be a significant difference if those conceived outside marriage were also included?
Camilo says
Interesting to see main differences between countries in Europe as well as between regions in the same country. Guess there are different reasons for the different rates… maybe a rebel reaction to decades if no freedom in the case of East Germany, but then why not the same in, i.e., Poland?, different religion history?. Again, interesting map that if covering the whole world could tell us a bit more about the way we are in Europe.
Alec says
East Germany was a Communist and thus atheist country. There was little freedom of enterprise and the economy was state-regulated but on the other hand eastern Germans enjoyed great social freedom: nudism on the beaches and in parks, free love relationships, no Church. That’s why. Most of those social values are still there.
While Poland is a strictly Christian Catholic country (almost fundamentalist). And managed to stay like this even under USSR’s influence.