German public debt reaches new record level

German public debt rose to a record level of €2,510.5 billion last year, the Federal Statistical Office reported on Tuesday.

This corresponds to a per capita debt of €30,062, with an increase of €669 compared to the previous year, the office said.

A spokesman for the office said there has been a continuous rise in debt since 2020.

These debts are held by the overall public budget, which includes the federal government, the federal states, municipalities, municipal associations and social security, with what is known as the non-public sector. This includes, for example, credit institutions and private companies.

Significant increase in municipalities

Compared to the end of 2023, public debt increased by 2.6% by the end of 2024.

The increase occurred at almost all levels, with the largest being a 10.3% rise in municipalities and municipal associations, where the total rose to €170.5 billion, marking the fifth consecutive increase in this area, the office reported.

The per capita debt was highest in the municipalities of Germany's most populous state North Rhine-Westphalia, as in the previous year, the office explained.

This was followed by the municipalities in Hesse and Saarland in the west of the country.

According to the report, the lowest debt was recorded in the municipalities of Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony in the east of the country.

Increase also at federal and state levels

Federal debt rose by 2.1% to €1,732.7 billion.

In the 16 federal states, the total increased for the first time since 2021, also by 2.1% to €607.3 billion.

According to the data, the total social security debt decreased by 73.9% to €10 million.

In a comparison of states, per capita debt was highest in the city-states of Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin, as in the previous year. However, the office noted that these cities also take on municipal tasks.

Among the non-city states, the total was highest in Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein, and lowest in Bavaria and Saxony.