Projected Rise in Germany's Elderly Population to 25% by 2035
December 11, 2025200 VuesTemps de lecture: 2 minutes
Taille de police
16
Recent demographic forecasts from the Federal Statistical Office in Berlin indicate that approximately 25% of Germany's population will be aged 67 and older by 2035, reflecting a notable increase in the elderly demographic over the coming decade.
Rapid Growth of Retirees
The percentage of retirees in Germany was 20% in 2024, largely due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation. Estimates suggest this trend will continue until 2038, with the number of individuals over 67 expected to reach between 20.5 and 21.3 million, an increase of 4.5 million from current figures.
Workforce Pressure
Currently, there are 33 retirees for every 100 working-age individuals. By 2070, this ratio could rise to 43% in the best-case scenario, or 61% if declining birth rates and reduced immigration persist, placing significant pressure on the labor market and pension systems.
Increase in Those Aged Over 80
Statisticians predict a substantial rise in the population aged over 80, increasing from 6.1 million in 2024 to between 8.5 and 9.8 million by 2050, reaching between 7.4 and 10 million by 2070. This trend underscores growing challenges in healthcare and social services.
Decline in Working-Age Population
A significant reduction in the working-age population is anticipated, projected to decrease from 51.2 million in 2024 to 45.3 million by 2070 if immigration continues. In low-immigration scenarios, this number could drop to 37.1 million. Experts emphasize that any sharp decline can only be mitigated by increasing birth rates and immigration.
Demographic Challenges for Germany
These changes indicate increasing pressure on pensions, healthcare, and social structures, necessitating the development of sustainable policies to ensure a balance between the elderly population and the working-age demographic in the future.
Rapid Growth of Retirees
The percentage of retirees in Germany was 20% in 2024, largely due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation. Estimates suggest this trend will continue until 2038, with the number of individuals over 67 expected to reach between 20.5 and 21.3 million, an increase of 4.5 million from current figures.
Workforce Pressure
Currently, there are 33 retirees for every 100 working-age individuals. By 2070, this ratio could rise to 43% in the best-case scenario, or 61% if declining birth rates and reduced immigration persist, placing significant pressure on the labor market and pension systems.
Increase in Those Aged Over 80
Statisticians predict a substantial rise in the population aged over 80, increasing from 6.1 million in 2024 to between 8.5 and 9.8 million by 2050, reaching between 7.4 and 10 million by 2070. This trend underscores growing challenges in healthcare and social services.
Decline in Working-Age Population
A significant reduction in the working-age population is anticipated, projected to decrease from 51.2 million in 2024 to 45.3 million by 2070 if immigration continues. In low-immigration scenarios, this number could drop to 37.1 million. Experts emphasize that any sharp decline can only be mitigated by increasing birth rates and immigration.
Demographic Challenges for Germany
These changes indicate increasing pressure on pensions, healthcare, and social structures, necessitating the development of sustainable policies to ensure a balance between the elderly population and the working-age demographic in the future.
