Share of women using contraceptives in Germany
Germany: Share of women using contraceptives was 80.3% in 2011. ▼ Falling
Share of women using contraceptives in Germany, 1970–2011
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Germany recorded 80.3% for share of women using contraceptives in 2011.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 59.3% on the previous year and up 17.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using contraceptives in Germany peaked at 82.2% in 1972 and was at its lowest, 50.4%, in 2008.
Germany ranks 6th of 116 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Share of women using contraceptives in Germany, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 70.1% | — |
| 1972 | 82.2% | +17.3% |
| 1985 | 77.9% | -5.2% |
| 1992 | 70.0% | -10.2% |
| 2005 | 68.4% | -2.2% |
| 2008 | 50.4% | -26.3% |
| 2011 | 80.3% | +59.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 76.1% | 70.1% | 82.2% | 2 |
| 1980s | 77.9% | 77.9% | 77.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 70.0% | 70.0% | 70.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 59.4% | 50.4% | 68.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 80.3% | 80.3% | 80.3% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More gender data for Germany
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 11,292 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.9917 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 344,036 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 363,213 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 348,332 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 367,516 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 355,306 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 374,750 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 376,950 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 397,467 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using contraceptives in Germany?
- Share of women using contraceptives in Germany was 80.3% in 2011, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 82.2% in 1972.
- What is the lowest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.4% in 2008.
- How does Germany rank for share of women using contraceptives?
- Germany ranks 6th out of 116 countries with data for 2011.
- Is share of women using contraceptives rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using contraceptives. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any form of contraception. It is usually measured for women ages 15-49 who are married or in union.