Evangelical and Catholic Churches in Germany lost 1.2 million members in a year

18 March, 15:05

In 2025, the Protestant and Catholic Churches in Germany saw a significant decline in membership, losing around 1.2 million members due to both individuals leaving and high mortality rates.

According to data from the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), as of December 31, 2025, approximately 17.4 million people belonged to its 20 regional churches, as reported by Slovo Pro Slovo. This represents a decline of about 3.2% compared to the previous year.

The main reasons for this decline include:

- About 350,000 official departures from the church

- Approximately 330,000 deaths

A similar trend is observed in the Roman Catholic Church in Germany. According to the German Bishops’ Conference, 19.2 million people remained members of the Church at the end of 2025, marking a 2.6% decrease from 2024. During that year, around 307,000 people left the Church, and approximately 203,000 Catholic funerals occurred.

In the Protestant Church, there were about 105,000 baptisms in 2025, nearly the same number as the previous year. Simultaneously:

- Approximately one in ten Protestant baptisms occurred among individuals over the age of 14

- About 16,000 people joined the EKD

However, Church representatives note that "the lower number of baptisms cannot compensate for the losses."

The situation in the Catholic Church is similar, with:

- About 109,000 baptisms

- Approximately 2,000 new members

- About 5,000 returns to the Church

These figures do not offset the loss of believers.

Despite these challenges, social service and education remain priorities. The EKD report highlights that the Churches continue to actively serve society by:

- Operating kindergartens and schools

- Supporting counseling centers

- Assisting the sick and elderly

- Providing aid during social crises

The number of spots in Protestant kindergartens has even increased slightly, reaching 465,747.

Additionally, there is a new focus on faith courses. Education and spiritual guidance are becoming increasingly important. In addition to traditional religion classes and confirmation preparation, churches now offer special faith courses that:

- Are held both online and in person

- Cater to both baptized individuals and those without church experience

- Help people explore questions about God, faith, and religion

According to the EKD, faith courses have a long tradition in eastern Germany and are now gaining popularity in other regions of the country.