Quick facts
Germany population overview
Germany is the 2nd most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 83,742,040 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 527 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 686,685 births (8.2 per 1,000 people) and 1,046,776 deaths (12.5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 159,110 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 72,814,900 in 1960 to 83,491,249 in 2025 — a change of +14.7%, or +0.2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 45.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 81.9 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 13.9% of residents are under 15 and 23.7% are 65 or older (2025); 82.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Berlin. Germany covers 357,680 km², giving a population density of about 234 people per km². GDP was $5.05T in 2025 — about $60,496 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Germany population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 83,588,441 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 83,742,040 |
| World rank | #19 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #2 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 1% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 686,685 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,046,776 |
| Net migration per year est. | +159,110 |
| Birth rate | 8.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 12.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 45.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 81.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 82.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 357,680 km² |
| Population density | 234 per km² |
| Capital | Berlin |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $5.05T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $60,496 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Germany population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 83,588,441 | – | – |
| 2025 | 83,491,249 | -25,344 | 0% |
| 2024 | 83,516,593 | +229,320 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 83,287,273 | +109,460 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 83,177,813 | -18,265 | 0% |
| 2021 | 83,196,078 | +35,207 | +0% |
| 2020 | 83,160,871 | +1,474,260 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 81,686,611 | -90,319 | 0% |
| 2010 | 81,776,930 | -692,492 | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 82,469,422 | +257,914 | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 82,211,508 | +533,457 | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 81,678,051 | +2,245,022 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 79,433,029 | +1,748,156 | +0.4% |
| 1985 | 77,684,873 | -603,703 | -0.2% |
| 1980 | 78,288,576 | -384,978 | -0.1% |
| 1975 | 78,673,554 | +504,265 | +0.1% |
| 1970 | 78,169,289 | +2,205,594 | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 75,963,695 | +3,148,795 | +0.9% |
| 1960 | 72,814,900 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Germany
Population over time
- From 72,814,900 in 1960 to 83,588,441 today — up 14.8%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 80.8 years (2024), up 11.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.1 births vs 12.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 13.9% of the population is under 15 and 23.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 11.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 579.9 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1,189.1 Mt in 1979 — down 51.2% since.
- Per person: 6.94 t in 2024, vs 13.87 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,824.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 36.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 17.6% of final energy in 2021 (+15.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 32.7% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 32.4% to 32.7% since 1990 — roughly 1,119 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 82.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 75.7% in 1960 (+6.4 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 24.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,286 m³ in 2022, down 11.8% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $5.05T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 47.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $60,496 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 93.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 129.2 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Germany in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Germany in 2026?
As of October 2026, Germany has an estimated population of 83,588,441. The United Nations estimated 83,742,040 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Germany growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.2% per year — roughly 527 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 686,685 births and 1,046,776 deaths, with net migration of +159,110.
What is the population density of Germany?
About 234 people per square kilometre: 83,588,441 people living on 357,680 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Germany?
The median age is 45.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81.9 years. 13.9% of the population is under 15 and 23.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Germany rank by population?
Germany is the 19th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 2nd in Europe, with 1% of the global population.
How has the population of Germany changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 72,814,900; by 2025 it had grown to 83,491,249 (+14.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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TanzaniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.