Germany is the most populous member state of the European Union.
Germany’s population was about 83.6 million at the end of 2024, placing it ahead of France and Italy, the EU’s other especially populous members. The comparison concerns the EU’s 27 member states, not all countries geographically located in Europe. Germany is also Europe’s second-most populous country after Russia under common geographic definitions.
The country’s demographic history has been shaped by both low birth rates and immigration. Germany has recorded more deaths than births annually since 1972, but immigration has generally offset that natural decrease. Its population is concentrated in major urban and industrial regions, including Berlin and the Ruhr.
A frequent mix-up involves the United Kingdom, which was once an EU member and has a large population, but left the union in 2020. Spain is another major EU country, yet its population remains below Germany’s. France can also appear close in some estimates, but Germany remains the canonical answer for the current EU membership.