Stability of ions of Ge,Sn, and Pb will be in the order:
Ge2+<Sn2+<Pb2+
Ge4+>Sn4+>Pb4+
Sn4+>Sn2+
Pb2+>Pb4+
As we go down this group (carbon family), the outer ns2 become more and more reluctant to take part in chemical bonding. This is referred to as the "inert pair effect." This means that the (+2) oxidation becomes more stable as we descend the group whereas the (+4) oxidation state becomes less and less stable. Hence, the orders of stability:
Ge2+<Sn2+<Pb2+
Ge4+>Sn4+>Pb4+
Sn4+>Sn2+
Pb2+>Pb4+