Every fourth citizen goes to church this year

Result

Many things are traditional at Christmas: presents under the Christmas tree, singing and eating together, family celebrations and church services - although fewer and fewer people in Germany are attending the latter. Currently, only one in four Germans go to church at least once a year, compared to almost two in five before coronavirus. Within the population, parents and young adults in particular are making their way to church, but fewer young seniors and pensioners. The number of older Germans is therefore lower, but retired people attend church services more frequently or more regularly.

Reasons

The number of people attending church has been declining for years. The reasons have varied from person to person, with external reasons, such as incidents of abuse or church tax, often playing a greater role than a lack of faith itself. The coronavirus restrictions have also changed Christmas traditions and more and more people are content to spend time in their own living rooms.

Forecast

In the coming years, the number of people attending church will continue to decline, as will the number of parishioners, volunteers and pastors. At the same time, however, the church can continue to be a place that offers answers to life's questions - especially in what feel like uncertain times. It will be crucial for the church to adapt to the changing social conditions as well as the needs and behaviour of its parishioners. If it manages this transformation (as it did in the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment and modern times) and at the same time remains true to itself in key issues, the church will experience a renaissance.

P.S. The trust in God is still great, he is the only one who is addressed by every German citizen :-)