Saxony's daycare needs are falling - but the gap remains

In Saxony, 6.3 percent of children under the age of three who need childcare do not have a place in a daycare center. This is according to a new study by the Institute of the German Economy (IW), which is available to the German Press Agency. This means that Bavaria is still one of the states with the smallest supply gap. In comparison: nationwide, 14.2% of U3 children have no place.

Saxony in a state comparison

In a nationwide comparison, Saxony is in the top group of states with the smallest gaps in provision with a gap of 6.3% - behind Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (4%) and Saxony-Anhalt (4.3%), but ahead of Thuringia (8.2%) and Brandenburg (6.1%). By contrast, the gaps are particularly large in Bremen (18.9%), Rhineland-Palatinate (18.7%) and Saarland (18.5%).

Demographic development in the east shapes demand

The study makes it clear that the eastern German federal states in particular are strongly influenced by demographic developments. The institute draws attention to declines in the east. "Here, the number of under-threes has plummeted by almost 20 percent since 2019," writes the IW. This has also led to a sharp decline in demand, even if there is still a mathematical gap of 25,000 places in the east.

The IW has compared the number of parents who, according to their own information, need childcare with the number of children in care.

Reduction in the east predicted

IW expert Wido Geis-Thöne predicted that daycare places would probably be reduced in the eastern states in the future. A reduction in capacity seems "inevitable", according to the study. The researchers call for the buildings and locations to be preserved in such a way that they can be converted back into childcare facilities in the future if required. They could be suitable for use as youth clubs or clubhouses.

The education economist called for efforts to ensure good daycare center quality. Today, groups are often too large, especially in eastern Germany. According to Geis-Thöne, the following applies in general: "For children from educationally disadvantaged households in particular, attending a daycare center is crucial for their future education."