Diagram Indicates Age of Your State's Demographic Profile - Visual representation demonstrates your nation's youthful age.
Germany's youth population, defined as individuals aged between 15 and 24 years, is currently at a historically low level of around 10%, according to the Federal Statistical Office. This figure is below the EU average of approximately 10.7%, reflecting longstanding demographic trends of low fertility and an aging population across Western Europe.
In Germany, the proportion of young people has been at this low level since the end of 2021. However, immigration has played a significant role in sustaining the youth population, particularly in urban and economically attractive regions. For instance, the city-states of Bremen (11.1%), Hamburg (10.5%), and the state of Baden-Württemberg (10.5%) have higher youth proportions.
Immigration has been a critical factor in this regard, as seen in the increase in the immigration of young people to Germany following the attack by Russia on Ukraine in February 2022. Without immigration, the proportion of young people in the German total population would be only 8.6%.
Interestingly, the proportion of young people among the descendants of immigrants in Germany is higher than the average proportion in the total population, standing at 20.7%. This trend is a common counterbalance to demographic aging and youth loss in countries across Europe.
Across the EU, the general trend is an aging population with declining fertility, with the overall European fertility rate averaging about 1.6 births per woman. This results in a growing elderly population (20% over 65 years in 2025) and a shrinking youth cohort unless supplemented by migration.
Comparatively, southern European countries like Italy and Malta report even lower youth ratios (around 9-10%), while countries outside the EU but in Europe such as Türkiye have higher youth proportions (~14.9%) due to higher fertility rates.
In conclusion, Germany's youth proportion remains below the EU average, reflecting longstanding demographic trends of low fertility and aging, but immigration plays a critical role in sustaining the young population, especially in urbanized and economically attractive regions. Europe as a whole experiences similar aging trends, with immigration being a key factor in demographic sustainability.
[Chart: How Old Is Your Federal State?] This chart likely provides visual data on the proportion of young people in different federal states of Germany.
References:
- Eurostat
- Federal Statistical Office
- Various sources (2-3) are not explicitly cited in the provided information.
- The city-states of Bremen, Hamburg, and the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany have higher youth populations due to immigration, contrasting the overall low youth proportion in the country.
- The attack by Russia on Ukraine in February 2022 led to an increase in the immigration of young people to Germany, significantly contributing to the youth population.
- Across Europe, immigration is a crucial factor in counterbalancing demographic aging and youth loss, as seen in the higher proportion of young people among the descendants of immigrants in Germany compared to the average proportion in the total population.
