Approximately one in ten individuals in the populace are youths
Germany's Low Proportion of Young People Explained
Germany's population of young people (aged 15-24) has been at a historically low level since the end of 2021, with the proportion standing at around 8.3 million (10.0%) by the end of 2024. This figure is below the EU average of 10.7%.
The low proportion of young people in Germany is primarily due to an aging population and low native birth rates, which have resulted in a historic demographic decline of youth to about 10% of the population.
However, the recent immigration of mostly young people, particularly from Ukraine since 2022, has helped stabilize this proportion somewhat. Without such immigration, the proportion of young people in the German population would be lower, at 8.6%.
Other factors impacting this trend include a higher youth population share among descendants of immigrants. Youth proportion among those born in Germany to immigrant parents is significantly higher, around 20.7%. This indicates that immigrant families tend to have younger age structures and potentially higher birth rates than the native population.
Regional differences within Germany are pronounced. City-states and southwestern states like Bremen, Hamburg, and Baden-Württemberg have the highest proportions of young people, just over 11%, likely due to urban migration, economic opportunities, and immigrant populations. On the other hand, former East German states such as Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Saxony-Anhalt have the lowest youth proportions, under 9%.
These dynamics collectively explain Germany’s low youth proportion relative to the EU and how regional variations modulate this demographic trend.
Factors Impacting Germany's Youth Proportion
| Factor | Impact on Youth Proportion | |-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Low native birth rates, aging pop. | Decrease in youth share to historic lows (10%) | | Immigrant youth influx (esp. Ukraine) | Stabilizes proportion, prevents deeper decline (~8.5%) | | Youth among descendants of immigrants | Much higher youth proportion (20.7%) | | Regional differences: Urban vs East | Urban/southwest states higher youth (~11%+), East Germany lower (~9%) |
Sources: [1], [3], [5]
[1] Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (2022). "Migrations- und Flüchtlingsstatistik - Bevölkerung". Retrieved from https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Statistik/Migration-und-Fluechtlinge/Migration-und-Fluechtlinge-Statistik/Migration-und-Fluechtlinge-Statistik-Bevoelkerung/Bevoelkerung-node.html
[3] Statistisches Bundesamt (2022). "Auswertung des Mikrozensus 2021: Bevölkerung nach Alter und Geschlecht". Retrieved from https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Laender-Regionen/Auswertung-des-Mikrozensus-2021/Auswertung-des-Mikrozensus-2021-Bevoelkerung-nach-Alter-und-Geschlecht.html
[5] Eurostat (2022). "Population by age group". Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/population/data/database
- The stabilizing factor in Germany's low youth proportion can be attributable to recent immigration, particularly from Ukraine, which has helped ward off a deeper demographic decline in the youth population.
- The policy-and-legislation and politics surrounding immigration and birth rates play significant roles in the general-news topic of Germany's youth proportion, as they directly impact the native and immigrant populations' age structures.
