Total dependency ratio in Germany
Germany: Total dependency ratio was 58.0% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Latest (2023)
58.0%
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
92nd
of 236 countries
All-time high
58.5%
in 1971
All-time low
43.8%
in 1986
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Total dependency ratio in Germany, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Germany recorded 58.0% for total dependency ratio in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.5% on the previous year and up 12.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total dependency ratio in Germany peaked at 58.5% in 1971 and was at its lowest, 43.8%, in 1986.
Germany ranks 92nd of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Total dependency ratio in Germany, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 49.4% | — |
| 1951 | 49.0% | -0.8% |
| 1952 | 48.6% | -0.8% |
| 1953 | 48.1% | -1.0% |
| 1954 | 47.5% | -1.4% |
| 1955 | 46.7% | -1.6% |
| 1956 | 46.2% | -1.2% |
| 1957 | 46.5% | +0.6% |
| 1958 | 47.1% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | 47.7% | +1.2% |
| 1960 | 48.7% | +2.2% |
| 1961 | 50.1% | +2.9% |
| 1962 | 51.4% | +2.5% |
| 1963 | 52.5% | +2.2% |
| 1964 | 53.6% | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 54.6% | +1.8% |
| 1966 | 55.5% | +1.7% |
| 1967 | 56.7% | +2.1% |
| 1968 | 57.6% | +1.6% |
| 1969 | 58.0% | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 58.3% | +0.5% |
| 1971 | 58.5% | +0.4% |
| 1972 | 58.4% | -0.2% |
| 1973 | 58.0% | -0.7% |
| 1974 | 57.6% | -0.8% |
| 1975 | 57.0% | -0.9% |
| 1976 | 56.2% | -1.4% |
| 1977 | 55.3% | -1.6% |
| 1978 | 54.3% | -1.8% |
| 1979 | 53.1% | -2.2% |
| 1980 | 51.6% | -2.8% |
| 1981 | 49.8% | -3.6% |
| 1982 | 47.8% | -4.0% |
| 1983 | 46.0% | -3.9% |
| 1984 | 44.6% | -3.0% |
| 1985 | 44.0% | -1.4% |
| 1986 | 43.8% | -0.3% |
| 1987 | 43.8% | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 44.0% | +0.5% |
| 1989 | 44.4% | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 44.8% | +1.0% |
| 1991 | 45.3% | +1.0% |
| 1992 | 45.5% | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 45.7% | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 46.1% | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 46.3% | +0.5% |
| 1996 | 46.4% | +0.2% |
| 1997 | 46.5% | +0.2% |
| 1998 | 46.5% | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 46.8% | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 47.3% | +1.1% |
| 2001 | 47.8% | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 48.2% | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 48.6% | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 49.3% | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 50.0% | +1.5% |
| 2006 | 50.8% | +1.6% |
| 2007 | 51.4% | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 51.8% | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 52.1% | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 52.1% | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 51.7% | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 51.6% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 51.6% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 51.8% | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 52.1% | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 52.6% | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 53.2% | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 53.9% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 54.5% | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 55.3% | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 56.2% | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 57.1% | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 58.0% | +1.5% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 58.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 52.7%, 1.1× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Germany's 58.0% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 55.3%, 1.0× the median. (56 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 47.7% | 46.2% | 49.4% | 10 |
| 1960s | 53.9% | 48.7% | 58.0% | 10 |
| 1970s | 56.7% | 53.1% | 58.5% | 10 |
| 1980s | 46.0% | 43.8% | 51.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 46.0% | 44.8% | 46.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 49.7% | 47.3% | 52.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 52.5% | 51.6% | 54.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.6% | 55.3% | 58.0% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More reference data data for Germany
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 15.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 9.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 80.38 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 10.56 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total dependency ratio in Germany?
- Total dependency ratio in Germany was 58.0% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total dependency ratio recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 58.5% in 1971.
- What is the lowest total dependency ratio recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.8% in 1986.
- How does Germany rank for total dependency ratio?
- Germany ranks 92nd out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total dependency ratio rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total dependency ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of children (under 15) and people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age people (aged 15 to 64).