Data in Germany reveals east-west divide on age

The youngest city, on average, is in Baden-Württemberg, while the oldest is in Thuringia

According to recent analyses by the Thuringian State Office of Statistics in Germany, Heidelberg is the ‘youngest’ city in the country, in terms of average population age. The ‘oldest’, meanwhile, is the independent city of Suhl.

Young Germany and old Germany

The data was sourced from government statistical agencies and it refers to data from December of 2020. At the same time, the Thuringian State Office of Statistics aimed to create a comprehensive age map of Germany, showcasing population in cities and regions. One of the most striking points in the data is the clear divide between the east and the rest of the country.

The national average age in Germany is 44.6 years, while many federal states in the east like Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia have regions with average ages above 50. In contrast, in the west, there are many cities and districts in Baden-Württemberg and Saarland for instance, that have an average age of around 40.

The average age in Heidelberg (Baden-Württemberg), the youngest city, is 40.7 years, narrowly beating out Freiburg and Offenbach - both with 40.8. The third youngest city is Frankfurt am Main with 40.9. On the other side of the spectrum, the independent city of Suhl in Thuringia has an average age of 51 years – quite a noticeable difference.

The runner ups for the senior spots include Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt with 50.6 years, Altenburger Land in Thuringia with 50.5 years – all in the east. One notable exception is the region of Leipzig, with an average age of 42.3, no doubt due to its vibrant student community.

The rest of the EU

According to 2018 data from Eurostat, Germany’s average age is close to the European average of just under 45 years. Italy, on the other hand, is the country with the oldest population, above 45 on average, however, projections for the next 30 years suggest that that would not be the case for long.

At the same time, Ireland and Cyprus have the youngest populations, currently hovering around 35.

According to projections in the Eurostat survey, in the next 30 years, the top spot for the oldest population will be held by either Greece, Portugal or Lithuania. The youngest should be a toss-up between Ireland and Sweden.