Germany’s private households saved a smaller share of their income in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) ahead of World Savings Day on October 30, the seasonally adjusted savings rate stood at 10.3 percent, down from 11.1 percent in the first half of 2024.
Despite the decline, the current rate remains close to the long-term average recorded since 2000. The years 2020 and 2021, when savings rose sharply due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were excluded from this comparison. During those two years, the savings rate averaged 15.1 percent, significantly higher than in normal economic conditions.
A savings rate of 10.3 percent means that households in Germany saved €10.30 out of every €100 of disposable income. On a monthly basis, this corresponds to an average of nearly €270 per person. In total, private households saved €134.6 billion in the first six months of 2025 after deducting depreciation, for example, on residential property.
However, this figure represents an aggregate national average and does not reflect individual household situations. Destatis emphasized that saving behavior varies widely depending on income level, life circumstances, and financial habits. While some households manage to set aside substantial amounts each month, others have little or no capacity to save once essential expenses are covered.
When comparing savings internationally, economists often refer to the gross savings rate, which does not deduct depreciation on private assets such as real estate. In 2024, Germany’s gross savings rate reached 20.0 percent, placing it well above the European Union average of 14.6 percent, according to Eurostat data.
Within Europe, several countries recorded lower savings rates than Germany, including Italy (11.9 percent) and the Netherlands (16.8 percent), while France (17.9 percent) and Austria (17.3 percent) were slightly behind. Switzerland, however, stood out with a notably high 26.1 percent gross savings rate. Beyond Europe, the United States recorded a gross savings rate of 10.8 percent in 2024, continuing its long-standing trend of lower household saving compared to most European nations.
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