My current 2.7 game (the only one as of yet) has no such problems. But the map generation algorithm seems to be very randomized (no problem with me, I like some degree of randomness ). In former games I had wildly different numbers of habitable planets with always the same settings. I play only ludicrous though, so I cannot speak for other galaxy sizes.

What you might want to try is turning on cheat mode and trying a few test galaxy settings to see how many habitable planets you actually get. As mentioned before, some settings indirectly affect others (i.e. more asteroids leaves less room for planets) so play with it until you find a distribution you like. I use rare habitable and uncommon planets, but then again I play on the largest map and enjoy resource scarce games.

Hi lyssailcor,

I've started two games now: Ludicrous, Altarian, 16 Civs

In both cases, I have gotten to turn 100 or so and have only settled maybe 6 or 7 planets. This is completely different from Huge or Large maps where, by this time, I would own 15- 20 planets by turn 60.

I'll try again, but it makes me nervous when I feel so far behind at that turn number,

Richard

Here are my usual settings for a ludicrous, random map:

With that my last galaxy (turn 247, 23 colonies, still a lot of planets left to colonize) looks like that:

I don't know whether that helps you in any way though ...

After many tests with different galaxy sizes and settings I have to say its in fact no problem! Every single setting combination creates another galaxy with different number of habitable planets. I can't find a setting combination where a get sure allot of planets but if I have the problem to find none the AI have the same problems to find a planet. So all is good and I like this way of randomization! My current game on insane map there are a very very few planets for all faction and you have to managed long distances to find one. Its challaging and allot of fun I think ! 

Edit: And now with 2.71 it will be much more fun!