Share of young people in Germany at lowest point since 1950

The number of young people in Germany, aged between 15 and 24, has fallen to a record low. Germany’s population went over 83,2 million for the first time at the end of last year, and young people make up just 10 percent of this number.

The disappearance of young people in Germany

Data published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) has revealed that the percentage of young people aged 15 to 24 is at its lowest point since records began in 1950. This age group makes up just 10 percent of the German population, which grew past 83,2 million for the first time at the end of 2021.

The number of young people, as well as their share in the population, has been declining since 2005. This trend was briefly reversed in 2015 but, by 2021, the population share of young people had reached its lowest point. By the end of 2021, the absolute number of people aged 15 to 24 fell to 8,3 million, which was also a record low.

Just 40 years ago, in 1983, the population share of young people hit its highest ever level at 16,7 percent. This is largely due to the “baby boomer” generation.

Demographics across Germany

While the population share of young people in Germany is at its lowest point, it varies significantly between the federal states. In Bremen, young people make up 11 percent of the population, much higher than the eastern states like Brandenburg (8 percent), Saxony-Anhalt (8,3 percent) and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (8,3 percent).

According to Eurostat, Germany’s share of young people is below the EU average of 10,6 percent and is similar to countries like Spain and Austria.