Around 1.9 million men and women received state support for raising a newborn last year, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said. The vast majority of recipients - 1.41 million - were women.
However, fathers could be slowly catching up. While the number of mothers receiving the benefits was up slightly by 0.9 per cent on the year, Destatis reported a 5.3-per-cent increase for male recipients.
Nonetheless, mothers are likely to claim parental benefits for a longer period than fathers. On average, men received support for 3.7 months, while the period for women was 14.3 months.
However, fathers could be slowly catching up. While the number of mothers receiving the benefits was up slightly by 0.9 per cent on the year, Destatis reported a 5.3-per-cent increase for male recipients.
Nonetheless, mothers are likely to claim parental benefits for a longer period than fathers. On average, men received support for 3.7 months, while the period for women was 14.3 months.