German Churches Report Historic Membership Decline in 2024

For the first time, Catholic membership in Germany fell below 20 million, while Evangelical Church numbers also dropped, reflecting ongoing secularization and demographic challenges.

The Catholic Church in Germany recorded 19.769 million members at the end of 2024, marking the first time membership fell below 20 million.
The Evangelical Church reported 17.98 million members in 2024, with both churches losing a combined total of over one million members during the year.
The Diocese of Münster has surpassed the Archdiocese of Cologne as the largest Catholic diocese in Germany, reflecting regional shifts in membership.
Membership exits slowed slightly in 2024, with 321,611 Catholics and 345,000 Evangelical Christians leaving their respective churches, an improvement compared to 2023 figures.
Church leaders are calling for reforms to address declining baptisms, aging populations, and societal changes, with a focus on engaging younger generations and families.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung