Pharmaceutical consumption in Germany
Germany: Pharmaceutical consumption was 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2024. ▲ Rising
Pharmaceutical consumption in Germany, 1986–2024
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day.
Analysis
The most recent figure for pharmaceutical consumption in Germany is 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 39 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.5% on the previous year and up 11.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pharmaceutical consumption in Germany peaked at 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2024 and was at its lowest, 103.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day, in 1986.
Germany ranks 14th of 21 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 39 years of available data.
Pharmaceutical consumption in Germany, year by year
| Year | Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 103.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | — |
| 1987 | 109.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +6.1% |
| 1988 | 117.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +6.9% |
| 1989 | 119.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.0% |
| 1990 | 128.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +7.8% |
| 1991 | 131.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.3% |
| 1992 | 145.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +10.2% |
| 1993 | 136.9 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | -5.8% |
| 1994 | 142.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +3.9% |
| 1995 | 151.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +6.3% |
| 1996 | 148.6 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | -1.7% |
| 1997 | 139.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | -6.0% |
| 1998 | 146.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +4.6% |
| 1999 | 147.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 150.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 149.9 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 154.6 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +3.1% |
| 2003 | 158.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 129.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | -18.5% |
| 2005 | 138.9 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +7.4% |
| 2006 | 141.6 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 157.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +11.4% |
| 2008 | 170.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +7.9% |
| 2009 | 177.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 183.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 190.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 217 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +14.0% |
| 2013 | 221.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 227 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.4% |
| 2015 | 228.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 232.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 227.4 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 228.9 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 230.4 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 232.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 237.9 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 243.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 246.4 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | +2.5% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day is below the median for high income countries, which is 311 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day, 81% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Germany's 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 313.15 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day, 81% of the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 112.33 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 103.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 119.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 4 |
| 1990s | 141.84 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 128.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 151.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 10 |
| 2000s | 152.86 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 129.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 177.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 10 |
| 2010s | 218.73 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 183.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 232.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 10 |
| 2020s | 242.66 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 232.7 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 5 |
Countries ranked near Germany
- 11 Portugal 311 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 12 United Kingdom 308.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 13 Italy 297.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 15 Chile 250.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 16 Denmark 247.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 17 Iceland 236.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
More health data for Germany
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.13 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.9955 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 368 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2000)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.18 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0216 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0228 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pharmaceutical consumption in Germany?
- Pharmaceutical consumption in Germany was 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2024, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest pharmaceutical consumption recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 252.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2024.
- What is the lowest pharmaceutical consumption recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 103.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 1986.
- How does Germany rank for pharmaceutical consumption?
- Germany ranks 14th out of 21 countries with data for 2024.
- Is pharmaceutical consumption rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Pharmaceutical consumption. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total pharmaceutical consumption according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification/Defined Daily Dose (DDD) system, created by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. The unit of measurement is Defined Daily Dose (DDD), defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used on its main indication in adults. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system divides drugs into different groups according to the organ system on which they act and/or therapeutical, pharmacological and chemical characteristics. The main principles for the classification of medicinal substances according to the ATC is presented in the publication “Guidelines for ATC classification and DDD assignment”, WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, Oslo. The publication “ATC Index with DDDs” lists all assigned ATC codes and DDD values. Both these publications are updated annually. The ATC codes are based on the 2026 version of the ATC Index. All alterations implemented from January 2026 are available on the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology website at https://www.whocc.no/lists_of__temporary_atc_ddds_and_alterations/. Data should reflect, where possible, the total consumption for each pharmaceutical drug category, i.e. including consumption in hospitals. Please refer to the Sources and Methods for detailed country-specific information.