The Changing Death Rate in Germany from 1990 to 2022

Germany's death rate saw a gradual decline from 11.6 per 1,000 people in 1990 to 9.1 in 2014, reflecting improvements in healthcare, lifestyle changes, and successful public health campaigns. However, the trend reversed in the 2020s, with a notable increase starting in 2020, when the death rate surged to 11.9 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic’s impact on the elderly population, particularly those in nursing homes, contributed to the higher mortality rate. In 2021 and 2022, the death rate remained elevated at 12.3 and 12.7, respectively, reflecting both the continued effects of the pandemic and the aging population. The rise in mortality may also reflect the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 and a higher burden of chronic diseases among older generations.