Germany vs France: population pyramids compared
Germany is about 1.3 times as large as France, but size is only part of the story. Compare the two age structures on one percentage scale for 2026 and 2050, with every indicator side by side.
UN estimates run through 2023; figures from 2024 onward are medium-scenario projections.
Germany and France in 2026
Germany population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
France population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
Key differences between Germany and France
Age. Germany is the older population, with a median age of 45.7 years against 42.5 in France — a gap of 3.2 years. France has the larger share of children (16.0% under 15 versus 13.9%), while Germany has the larger share aged 65 and over (24.2% versus 22.9%).
Births and survival. France’s fertility rate of 1.64 is below the replacement level, and Germany’s 1.46 is below it. Life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years in France and 81.9 in Germany.
Dependency. The total age dependency ratio is 61.6 in Germany (22.4 children and 39.2 older people per 100 aged 15–64) and 63.6 in France (26.1 and 37.5). Similar totals can hide very different mixes of young and old.
Outlook. Between 2026 and 2050, the UN medium scenario has Germany’s population declines by 6% and France’s grows by 2%. These are scenario results, not forecasts; how projections work explains the assumptions.
Germany vs France: indicators side by side
| Indicator | Germany | France |
|---|---|---|
| Population, 2026 | 83,644,258 | 66,746,401 |
| Median age | 45.7 years | 42.5 years |
| Under age 15 | 13.9% | 16.0% |
| Aged 15–64 | 61.9% | 61.1% |
| Aged 65+ | 24.2% | 22.9% |
| Age dependency ratio | 61.6 | 63.6 |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.64 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.9 years | 83.7 years |
| Annual growth | -0.2% | +0.1% |
| Males per 100 females | 97.6 | 94.1 |
| Population, 2050 | 78,294,613 | 68,219,675 |
| Change, 2026–2050 | -6.4% | +2.2% |
| Population, 2100 | 70,899,863 | 68,484,558 |
| Peak year | 2024 | 2095 |
| Global population rank | #19 | #23 |
2026, 2050, and 2100 values are UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium-scenario projections.
How the two pyramids could look in 2050
The same scale is kept for the projected charts, so a narrowing base or widening top can be compared directly with the 2026 shapes above.
Germany population pyramid
2050 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
France population pyramid
2050 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
What shapes Germany’s pyramid
Germany’s pyramid is top-heavy around the 1960s baby boom at ages 55–64, cut sharply below by the 1970s birth slump and widened at 35–39 by migrants. Read the full Germany analysis.
What shapes France’s pyramid
France’s pyramid still carries scars of both world wars, yet its baby boom and relatively high fertility keep the base wider than most of Europe. Read the full France analysis.
Explore each country in depth
- Germany population pyramid 2026 · Germany in 2050
- France population pyramid 2026 · France in 2050
- Open this pair in the interactive comparison tool
Questions about Germany and France
Which population is older, Germany or France?
Germany is older: its projected 2026 median age is 45.7 years, compared with 42.5 in France.
Which has a higher fertility rate, Germany or France?
France has the higher total fertility rate in 2026: 1.64 births per woman, against 1.46 in Germany.
Will Germany or France have more people in 2050?
Under the UN medium scenario, Germany is projected to be larger in 2050, with 78.3M people against 68.2M.