GermanyThe Catholic Church in Germany collected more church tax in 2025 despite a decline in membership numbers compared to the previous year. According to data published by the German Bishops' Conference, the total church tax revenue reached approximately €6.8 billion, representing a 1.9 percent increase. However, due to inflation averaging 2.2 percent in 2025, the purchasing power of these earnings decreased. Adjusting for inflation, the real value of the church tax income was around €4.2 billion. As of December 31, 2025, the Catholic Church had approximately 19.2 million members, down by nearly half a million from 2024. The church tax is tied to income tax and ranges between eight and nine percent of the income tax paid by church members. Long-term projections suggest a decline in church tax revenues as the baby boomer generation retires and membership numbers continue to decrease.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data on church tax revenue changes, including both nominal increases and inflation-adjusted figures. It provides context on membership trends and long-term projections without overtly favoring any particular perspective. The tone remains neutral, focusing on statistical
