Germany’s population continues to display notable regional differences in age, with striking contrasts between the youngest and oldest communities. These variations highlight the diversity of demographic patterns across the country.
According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the youngest municipality in 2024 was Lautzenhausen in the Rhein-Hunsrück district of Rhineland-Palatinate, with an average age of just 33.7 years among its 1,122 residents. In stark contrast, Welschenbach, also in Rhineland-Palatinate and just an hour and a half away by car, recorded the highest average age of any German municipality at 63.0 years among its 48 inhabitants. These extremes underscore how demographic patterns can vary dramatically even within the same state.
At the state level, Germany’s city-states continue to host younger populations. Hamburg led as the youngest state in 2024, with an average age of 42.2 years, followed closely by Berlin (42.8 years) and Bremen (43.1 years). Among larger states, Baden-Württemberg recorded the lowest average age at 44.0 years. On the other end of the spectrum, Saxony-Anhalt had the oldest population at 48.3 years, followed by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (48.1 years) and Thuringia (47.9 years). Across Germany, the national average age was 44.9 years.
Demographic differences are also reflected in the aging ratio, which measures the number of people aged 65 and older relative to those aged 20 to 64. Hamburg had the lowest ratio, with 28.6 older adults per 100 working-age residents, while Saxony-Anhalt had the highest at 51.9. Nationwide, there were on average 38.8 individuals aged 65 and above for every 100 residents in the working-age group. These figures highlight the varying pressures on social services and the workforce, as younger communities may experience growth and economic potential, whereas older regions face challenges related to healthcare, pensions, and labor shortages.
Germany’s 2024 demographic data emphasize the importance of understanding regional trends to inform policies, infrastructure, and community planning, reflecting the evolving age structure across the country.
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