Germany’s public debt reached a record 2,662.2 billion euros at the end of 2025, with the Federal Statistical Office reporting that the per-capita share stood at an average of 31,887 euros, an increase of 1,821 euros compared with the previous year.
In absolute terms, total public sector debt grew by 151.4 billion euros, or 6 percent, in a single year. The figures cover the federal government, state governments, local authorities, and social security bodies.
Rises across almost all levels
Federal government debt reached 1,840.4 billion euros, up 6.2 percent, according to the Federal Office. State-level debt rose 2.9 percent to 624.9 billion euros.
Per-capita debt fell in three states: North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Berlin. In the capital, the decline was attributed to a reorganisation of the public sector, according to available data.
The largest percentage increase in per-capita debt was recorded in the eastern state of Saxony, at 17.1 percent. Despite that rise, Saxony retained its position for a second consecutive year as the state with the second-lowest per-capita debt, behind Bavaria.
Double-digit rise in municipalities
Local authority debt rose for a sixth consecutive year, climbing 15.4 percent to 197 billion euros. The sole exception was the eastern state of Thuringia, where municipalities managed to reduce their per-capita debt.
