Young men outnumber young women in Germany, Destatis finds

Young men outnumber young women by a significant margin in Germany, according to new figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Driven by natural birth ratios and international migration patterns, the male surplus is most pronounced among people aged 18 to 29.

Men dominate younger age brackets across Germany

In the 18-to-29 age group, there are approximately 1.096 young men for every 1.000 young women in Germany (or 912 women per 1.000 men). Data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) shows that men hold a statistical majority across every age bracket under 50 nationwide.

The gender imbalance is particularly pronounced in eastern Germany. Federal states such as Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Thuringia record the largest surpluses of young men, driven in part by internal migration trends following German reunification.

Across the entire population of all ages, women still hold a slight majority nationwide, with 1.027 women per 1.000 men. This overall gap widens after age 50, where higher female life expectancy leads to women outnumbering men in older demographics.

Natural birth rates and migration drive demographic shift

Demographers attribute the gender disparity in younger age brackets primarily to two main factors: biological birth ratios and migration patterns. Globally and in Germany, natural birth rates consistently produce around 105 boys for every 100 girls.

This natural imbalance is further amplified by international migration, as non-natives relocating to Germany in younger age categories are statistically more likely to be male. Historically, internal migration has also influenced regional numbers, with young women moving from rural areas to major cities for education or career opportunities.

Despite the surplus of young men, the national demographic balance reverses in older age brackets. Because women in Germany have a longer average life expectancy, the gender ratio flips past the age of 50, resulting in women holding a slight majority across the total population.