Germans Are Marrying Later Than Ever

Key Takeaways

• Between 2020 and 2024, the average age at first marriage in Germany rose from 34.9 to 35.3 for men and from 32.4 to 32.9 for women.
• Longer education paths, career-building, economic uncertainty, and widespread cohabitation have pushed marriage later in life.
• Later marriage contributes to lower birth rates and, together with rising life expectancy, reinforces Germany’s long-term population ageing.

Germany’s average age for first-time marriages

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Learn something new about Germany every week and make informed decisions with confidence.

The average age at first marriage among singles in Germany has continued to rise in recent years. In 2020, men married at an average age of 34.9, and women at 32.4. By 2024, these averages had increased to 35.3 for men and 32.9 for women.

While the increases may appear small yearly, they reflect a broader generational shift toward later marriage and delayed family formation.

Why Are Germans Entering Their First Marriage Later?

Social norms around family formation in Germany have changed over time. Marriage is no longer widely seen as a prerequisite for long-term partnership or parenthood, reducing pressure to marry early.

Several factors are reshaping the timing of first marriages in Germany:

• Longer Education and Career Building: More people pursue higher education and establish careers before settling into long-term partnerships.
• Rising Economic Pressures: High living costs, urban housing shortages, and financial uncertainty push marriage plans later in life.
• Widespread cohabitation: Many couples live together for years before marrying, and some raise children without marrying at all. In 2023, around 33% of children born in Germany had unmarried parents [2]. 

Why the Rising Age at Marriage Matters

As marriage shifts into the mid-30s, the window for having children narrows, contributing to Germany’s low birth rates. In 2024, Germany’s total fertility rate declined to 1.35 children per woman, down from 1.53 in 2020 [3].

Combined with rising life expectancy, this trend accelerates population ageing, which increases pressure on pensions, healthcare, and the workforce.