Germany: health and care

What are the main causes of death in Germany?

Cardiovascular disease remained the most common cause of death in Germany in 2025, with 334,100 deaths, 1.5% fewer than in 2024, according to Destatis cause of death statistics published on 9 October 2026. In total, 1,006,588 people died in 2025: 500,083 men and 506,505 women. Deaths from cardiovascular disease were 6.7% lower than in 2022, a steeper fall than for deaths overall (-5.6%).

The statistics are based on death certificates and coded to the WHO's ICD-10 classification, so each death is assigned one underlying cause. Cancer is the second main group and respiratory diseases the third; the page also gives figures for specific causes such as suicide and COVID-19.

Official sources: Destatis: causes of death

How many suicides are there in Germany?

11,334 people died by suicide in Germany in 2025, 9.3% more than in 2024 and 15.6% more than the average of the previous ten years, according to Destatis cause of death statistics published on 9 October 2026.

The count comes from death certificates, where suicide is recorded as the underlying cause. Comparisons between years can be affected by changes in how deaths are certified and investigated. Destatis publishes suicide figures by age, sex and method in the GENESIS-Online database.

Official sources: Destatis: causes of death

How many hospitals are there in Germany?

Germany had 1,807 hospitals with 468,803 beds in 2025, according to the Destatis table of hospitals, beds and patient movement (as at 10 September 2026). That was 34 hospitals and about 4,000 beds fewer than in 2024. Hospitals treated 17,749,611 in-patient cases, the average stay was 7.0 days, and beds were 72.6% occupied.

The number of hospitals has been falling for decades: in 1991 there were 2,411 hospitals with 665,565 beds. Case numbers count admissions, so one person treated twice counts twice. The 2024 figures were revised on 27 November 2025. Destatis also publishes staff numbers and hospital costs, which were €149.8 billion.

Official sources: Destatis: hospitals, beds and patient movement

How many doctors are there in Germany?

About 446,000 doctors were working in Germany on 31 December 2025, 2.0% more than a year earlier, according to the German Medical Association's physician statistics 2025. Including doctors no longer practising, the profession numbered about 593,000. Almost a quarter of working doctors were aged 60 or over.

The figures come from the registers of the state medical chambers, where every doctor must be a member. The association reports that self-employed doctors in private practice fell by 1.3% while doctors employed in outpatient care rose by 6.7%; 39% of all doctors worked in outpatient care. Regional shortages are not visible in national totals.

Official sources: Bundesärztekammer: physician statistics 2025

How much does Germany spend on health?

Health spending in Germany reached €538.2 billion in 2024, 12.4% of GDP or €6,444 per person, according to Destatis health expenditure statistics. In current prices this was 7.6% more than in 2023; after taking out price rises in the health sector of 3.5%, spending grew 3.9%.

The total covers spending by statutory and private health insurance, long-term care insurance, government, employers and households, on goods and services such as hospital care, medicines and nursing. Price-adjusted figures were calculated by Destatis for the first time in 2026. Results for each year are published around 15 months after it ends.

Official sources: Destatis: health expenditure

What is the average life expectancy in Germany?

80.8 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Germany for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 81.3 years; its low point was 2005, at 78.9 years. Europe & Central Asia median: 79.5 years; Germany is 24th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 39th highest.

What is Germany's infant mortality rate?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Germany was 3.1 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 29th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.4 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 165th of 192.

What is maternal mortality in Germany?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Germany at 4.0 per 100,000 in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 6.0 per 100,000, and Germany placed 36th highest of 51. Worldwide: 171st of 192.

What is Germany's health spending?

In 2024, current health spending in Germany was 12.3% of GDP, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.8% of GDP (2007) to 12.7% of GDP (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 9.4% of GDP, and Germany placed 1st highest of 17.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Germany?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Germany at 10.7% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 13.9%; its low point was 2022, at 10.4%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.1%, and Germany placed 14th highest of 17.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Germany?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2022, is 4.5 per 1,000. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7 per 1,000, and Germany placed 10th highest of 42. Worldwide: 13th of 125.

What is hospital capacity in Germany?

In 2023, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Germany was 7.5 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 4.2 per 1,000, and Germany placed 3rd highest of 23. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 4th highest.

How many children in Germany are vaccinated against measles?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Germany was 96.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 94.0%, and Germany placed 14th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 46th of 191.