In 1800, the region of Germany was not a single, unified nation, but a collection of decentralized, independent states, bound together as part of the Holy Roman Empire. This empire was dissolved, however, in 1806, during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras in Europe, and the German Confederation was established in 1815. Napoleonic reforms led to the abolition of serfdom, extension of voting rights to property-owners, and an overall increase in living standards. The population grew throughout the remainder of the century, as improvements in sanitation and medicine (namely, mandatory vaccination policies) saw child mortality rates fall in later decades. As Germany industrialized and the economy grew, so too did the argument for nationhood; calls for pan-Germanism (the unification of all German-speaking lands) grew more popular among the lower classes in the mid-1800s, especially following the revolutions of 1948-49. In contrast, industrialization and poor harvests also saw high unemployment in rural regions, which led to waves of mass migration, particularly to the U.S.. In 1886, the Austro-Prussian War united northern Germany under a new Confederation, while the remaining German states (excluding Austria and Switzerland) joined following the Franco-Prussian War in 1871; this established the German Empire, under the Prussian leadership of Emperor Wilhelm I and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. 1871 to 1945 - Unification to the Second World War The first decades of unification saw Germany rise to become one of Europe's strongest and most advanced nations, and challenge other world powers on an international scale, establishing colonies in Africa and the Pacific. These endeavors were cut short, however, when the Austro-Hungarian heir apparent was assassinated in Sarajevo; Germany promised a "blank check" of support for Austria's retaliation, who subsequently declared war on Serbia and set the First World War in motion. Viewed as the strongest of the Central Powers, Germany mobilized over 11 million men throughout the war, and its army fought in all theaters. As the war progressed, both the military and civilian populations grew increasingly weakened due to malnutrition, as Germany's resources became stretched. By the war's end in 1918, Germany suffered over 2 million civilian and military deaths due to conflict, and several hundred thousand more during the accompanying influenza pandemic. Mass displacement and the restructuring of Europe's borders through the Treaty of Versailles saw the population drop by several million more.

Reparations and economic mismanagement also financially crippled Germany and led to bitter indignation among many Germans in the interwar period; something that was exploited by Adolf Hitler on his rise to power. Reckless printing of money caused hyperinflation in 1923, when the currency became so worthless that basic items were priced at trillions of Marks; the introduction of the Rentenmark then stabilized the economy before the Great Depression of 1929 sent it back into dramatic decline. When Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, the Nazi government disregarded the Treaty of Versailles' restrictions and Germany rose once more to become an emerging superpower. Hitler's desire for territorial expansion into eastern Europe and the creation of an ethnically-homogenous German empire then led to the invasion of Poland in 1939, which is considered the beginning of the Second World War in Europe. Again, almost every aspect of German life contributed to the war effort, and more than 13 million men were mobilized. After six years of war, and over seven million German deaths, the Axis powers were defeated and Germany was divided into four zones administered by France, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the U.S.. Mass displacement, shifting borders, and the relocation of peoples based on ethnicity also greatly affected the population during this time. 1945 to 2020 - Partition and Reunification In the late 1940s, cold war tensions led to two distinct states emerging in Germany; the Soviet-controlled east became the communist German Democratic Republic (DDR), and the three western zones merged to form the democratic Federal Republic of Germany. Additionally, Berlin was split in a similar fashion, although its location deep inside DDR territory created series of problems and opportunities for the those on either side. Life quickly changed depending on which side of the border one lived. Within a decade, rapid economic recovery saw West Germany become western Europe's strongest economy and a key international player. In the east, living standards were much lower, although unemployment was almost non-existent; internationally, East Germany was the strongest economy in the Eastern Bloc (after the USSR), though it eventually fell behind the West by the 1970s. The restriction of movement between the two states also led to labor shortages in t...

The total population in Germany was estimated at 83.6 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Germany Population - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The past two years have seen Germany's population fall, with 2025's drop projected to be the second largest decrease since 1950. The largest single-year increase came in 2015, in the midst of the Syrian refugee crisis, where over one million Syrians eventually settled in Germany.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Germany (SPPOPGROWDEU) from 1961 to 2024 about Germany, population, and rate.

In 2024, the population in Germany, as of December 31 of that year, amounted to around 83.6 million people. This was an increase compared to the previous year.

Actual value and historical data chart for Germany Population Growth Annual Percent

Historical dataset showing total population for Germany by year from 1950 to 2025.

Germany DE: Urban Population Growth data was reported at -0.469 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.855 % for 2022. Germany DE: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.367 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.207 % in 1961 and a record low of -1.602 % in 2011. Germany DE: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

The total population of Germany was estimated at over 84.4 million inhabitants in 2025, although it is projected to drop in the coming years and fall below 80 million in 2043. Germany is the most populous country located entirely in Europe, and is third largest when Russia and Turkey are included. Germany's prosperous economy makes it a popular destination for immigrants of all backgrounds, which has kept its population above 80 million for several decades. Population growth and stability has depended on immigration In every year since 1972, Germany has had a higher death rate than its birth rate, meaning its population is in natural decline. However, Germany's population has rarely dropped below its 1972 figure of 78.6 million, and, in fact, peaked at 84.7 million in 2024, all due to its high net immigration rate. Over the past 75 years, the periods that saw the highest population growth rates were; the 1960s, due to the second wave of the post-WWII baby boom; the 1990s, due to post-reunification immigration; and since the 2010s, due to high arrivals of refugees from conflict zones in Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine. Does falling population = economic decline? Current projections predict that Germany's population will fall to almost 70 million by the next century. Germany's fertility rate currently sits around 1.5 births per woman, which is well below the repacement rate of 2.1 births per woman. Population aging and decline present a major challenge economies, as more resources must be invested in elderly care, while the workforce shrinks and there are fewer taxpayers contributing to social security. Countries such as Germany have introduced more generous child benefits and family friendly policies, although these are yet to prove effective in creating a cultural shift. Instead, labor shortages are being combatted via automation and immigration, however, both these solutions are met with resistance among large sections of the population and have become defining political issues of our time.

View yearly updates and historical trends for Germany Population Growth. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

Yearly (annual) dataset of the Germany Population, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1960-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Berlin, Germany metro area from 1950 to 2025.

germany - Population Growth for Germany was -0.62005 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, germany - Population Growth for Germany reached a record high of 0.72088 in January of 2022 and a record low of -0.62005 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for germany - Population Growth for Germany - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Germany DE: Rural Population Growth data was reported at 0.288 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.257 % for 2022. Germany DE: Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging -0.165 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.858 % in 1989 and a record low of -2.700 % in 2011. Germany DE: Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

Actual value and historical data chart for Germany Population Ages 65 And Above Percent Of Total

Population ages 75-79, male (% of male population) in Germany was reported at 3.5621 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Germany - Population ages 75-79, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Subject of the datacompilation is the description of the natural and geographical population movement in modern german history. Topics Time Series Data in the downloadsystem HISTAT: Population and Population StructureA.1 Size of Population and Population GrowthA.2 Population Development in international comparisonA.3 Population by age-groupsA.4 Population by sexA.5 Population by municipal sizeA.6 Population by social characteristics (Family Status, Religious Denomination)A.7 Population by State/region (German States of FRG, GDR) B. Population movementB.1 Marriages and DevorcesB.2 Birth Statistics and Fertility StatisticsB.3 MortalityB.4 Infant Mortality Statistics C. Migration Statistics D. Household Size and Family Structure

Population ages 50-54, male (% of male population) in Germany was reported at 6.6459 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Germany - Population ages 50-54, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Time series data for the statistic Population, age 7, female and country Germany. Indicator Definition:Age population, female refers to female population at the specified age level, as estimated by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.The indicator "Population, age 7, female" stands at 335.41 Thousand as of 12/31/2015, the lowest value at least since 12/31/1991, the period currently displayed. Regarding the Three-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -2.86 percent compared to the value three years prior.The 3 year change in percent is -2.86.The 5 year change in percent is -5.76.The 10 year change in percent is -14.08.The Serie's long term average value is 399.79 Thousand. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2015, is 16.10 percent lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2015, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2015, is +0.0%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1995, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2015, is -26.41%.

Actual value and historical data chart for Germany Rural Population Growth Annual Percent