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Church attendance

cg/hf, dpa/ap/bild am sonntagApril 11, 2009

The majority of Germans won't be attending church services this Easter weekend, despite the fact that nearly two thirds of the population describe themselves as Christians.

https://p.dw.com/p/HUtL
Colorful eggs hang from a tree
Many Germans may well prefer to be out enjoying the idyllic spring weather this EasterImage: picture-alliance / Bildagentur Huber

According to results from a survey conducted by the mass circulation newspaper, Bild am Sonntag, two thirds of those surveyed said they would not be attending any church services.

The survey also highlighted the stark differences that still remain between the west and east of the country. Thirty-three percent of respondents in western Germany and only 19 percent in eastern German answered that they planned to attend Church this Easter. That correlates to official statistics that show just over 70 percent of Germans in the west of the country consider themselves Christians, while in the formerly communist east, the figure stands at just 26 percent.

Meanwhile, more German women are interested in showing their faith this Easter, with 36 percent indicating they would go to Church, while only 25 percent of men plan to make the effort.

In Germany, people have the choice whether to declare themselves as Christians. If they do, they are required to then pay a church tax, which is deducted directly from their monthly paychecks.

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