Child Population Share in Germany Shows Regional and EU Contrasts in 2026

As of 2026, the child population in Germany, defined as those under 14 years old, stands at around 10.8 million, representing approximately 12.9 to 13.0 percent of the national population. This reflects a slight increase in recent years but remains below historical highs; in 1975, nearly 19.6 percent of Germans were under 14. Recent statistics by the Statistische Bundesamt and European data point to notable regional disparities within Germany. States like Baden-Württemberg and Bremen have the highest child proportions at 13.4 percent, closely followed by Hamburg and Bavaria at just over 13.2 percent. In contrast, eastern states show significantly lower shares: Sachsen-Anhalt records the lowest at 11.2 percent, with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Thuringia trailing closely behind at about 11.3 percent.

Compared internationally, Germany's child population share is slightly below the EU average of 13.3 percent. Ireland leads the EU with the highest percentage at 17.0 percent, followed by Sweden (15.6%) and France (15.3%). At the lower end, Italy reports only 10.9 percent children under 14, with Malta and Portugal also showing lower proportions. These demographic patterns highlight ongoing regional population shifts within Germany and the country's position within broader European trends. The gradual decline of the child demographic share in Germany over decades contrasts with some EU countries showing higher youth population proportions today.

The demographic data underscores regional variations with eastern German states experiencing lower child shares than the western regions, an important factor for policymakers addressing population and social planning. As Germany's child population stabilizes near 13 percent of the populace, understanding these trends is critical for future educational and social service needs.