Germany’s youth share falls to a decade low, migration becomes key to labour market

At the close of 2025, Germany’s Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) recorded just 8.3 million people aged between 15 and 24, representing roughly 10 % of the total population. This is the lowest share since the early 1980s.

Sharp decline since the baby‑boom era

In 1983, when the baby‑boom generation were teenagers, the same age group accounted for 16.7 % of the population. The halving of the youth proportion has sparked worries about future labour supply, pension financing and the country’s long‑term economic dynamism.

Migration offsets the fall

Among residents without a migration background, only 8.5 % fall into the 15‑24 bracket. The figure rises to 12.2 % for those with a migration background and jumps to 20.4 % for individuals whose both parents are immigrants. These disparities illustrate why Germany is increasingly dependent on migrants to sustain a balanced age structure.

Regional picture

Share of young people varies markedly across the Länder. Bremen records the highest proportion at 11.1 %, followed by Hamburg at 10.5 % and Baden‑Württemberg at 10.4 %. At the opposite end, Brandenburg stands at 8.8 %, while Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania and Saxony‑Anhalt each register 9.1 %. Four of the five lowest‑ranking states are located in the former East Germany.

European comparison

Germany’s 10 % youth share sits below the European Union average of 10.7 %. Ireland leads the bloc with 12.7 %, and both Denmark and the Netherlands record 12.2 %.

Policy outlook

Officials are likely to intensify efforts to attract skilled migrants and improve integration pathways, aiming to replenish the shrinking domestic labour pool. The trend also pressures education and training systems to adapt to a more diverse student body, while businesses may need to revise recruitment strategies to tap the growing pool of second‑generation immigrants.

These figures were first reported by Germany’s Federal Statistics Office (Destatis).