German Churches See Historic Membership Decline in 2024

For the first time, Catholic membership in Germany falls below 20 million and Evangelical membership drops under 18 million, as leaders call for reforms to address societal shifts.

The Catholic and Evangelical churches in Germany lost over one million members in 2024, bringing total membership to 37.8 million, down from 38.9 million in 2023.
Catholic membership fell to 19.77 million, marking the first time it has dropped below 20 million, while Evangelical membership declined to 17.98 million.
Resignation rates decreased slightly compared to 2023, with 321,611 Catholics and 345,000 Evangelicals leaving their respective churches in 2024.
Low baptism rates, with 116,000 Catholic and 110,000 Evangelical baptisms, combined with high death rates, remain key factors in the decline.
Church leaders, including Georg Bätzing and Kirsten Fehrs, emphasize the need for reforms, societal engagement, and a focus on younger generations to address declining membership and evolving expectations.