The major churches in Germany lost a total of 1.2 million members in 2025, primarily due to resignations and deaths, although the number of departures from the Catholic Church has slightly decreased.
In 2025, Germany's major churches recorded a significant loss of 1.2 million members, as reported by the German Bishops' Conference and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). This decline is attributed to both resignations and deaths, highlighting the ongoing trend of decreasing church membership. Specifically, the Catholic Church experienced a slight reduction in the number of resignations, with roughly 307,000 individuals choosing to leave the church in the previous year, a decrease from about 322,000 in 2024. Meanwhile, the Protestant churches saw a stable resignation rate, with around 350,000 departures in 2025 compared to 355,000 the previous year.
The overall decline not only reflects the resignations but also the stark difference between deaths and baptisms in the churches. The report noted that the other half of the member loss is largely due to the high number of deaths surpassing the number of new baptisms. This demographic shift poses serious challenges for both the Catholic and Protestant churches, which are already dealing with shrinking congregations and fewer resources.
The current statistics raise concerns about the future sustainability of church communities in Germany, with implications for both religious practices and community services. The continuous decline in membership might prompt the churches to reassess their roles and outreach strategies in an increasingly secular society, urging them to find new ways to engage with both current and potential members to reverse this trend.
