Church Attendance Declines in Berlin and Brandenburg, With Christmas as an Exception

The number of people attending church services in Berlin and Brandenburg has been steadily decreasing in recent years, reflecting a broader trend of declining membership within the Protestant Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO). According to recent data gathered from annual church congregation reports, fewer individuals are participating in regular worship services across these regions.

Despite the overall reduction in attendance, Christmas Eve remains an exception to this downward trend. Over the past five years, participation in Christmas services has not only stabilized but, in some cases, increased following pandemic-related declines. For example, in 2024, approximately 306,000 people attended around 2,150 Christmas Eve services within the jurisdiction of EKBO, marking a recovery from the 273,000 attendees in 2021, when pandemic restrictions were in place. The year 2023 also saw significant attendance, with roughly 301,000 participants at 2,050 services.

The process of collecting attendance figures involves annual submissions from each congregation. These numbers are then extrapolated to provide an overall estimate for the region. However, the organization does not currently offer detailed regional breakdowns within Berlin and Brandenburg for these statistics.

Membership figures for EKBO have also shown a steady decline. At the end of 2024, the total membership stood at around 775,000, representing a decrease of approximately 20,000 members compared to the previous year. The reasons cited for the reduction in membership are varied, with individuals choosing to leave the church for personal, social, or cultural reasons.

The decline in both church attendance and membership reflects broader societal changes, including shifting attitudes towards religion and evolving community structures. While regular churchgoing becomes less common, the tradition of attending services during major holidays, especially Christmas, continues to hold significance for many residents in the region. This trend suggests that, despite changing patterns in religious engagement, key cultural and religious events still draw substantial participation.

Church leaders in Berlin and Brandenburg have acknowledged these developments, noting the importance of adapting to the evolving needs and preferences of their communities. While the ongoing decrease in membership and attendance presents challenges, the continued high turnout at holiday services highlights the enduring role of religious traditions in the social fabric of the area.