Are Germans living shorter lives? Actuary says life expectancy is falling

Germans are living less long than expected, at least according to one well-known actuary. Axel Kleinlein, an insurance mathematician, says the latest figures from Destatis (Germany's federal statistics office) show that life expectancy is falling.

Destatis itself is more careful. The agency now assumes a lower future life expectancy than it did in 2020. But it does not speak of a general reversal of the trend.

Why does this matter beyond statistics? Because life expectancy sits at the heart of how pensions and private retirement savings are calculated. If people live shorter lives than planned, the maths behind both changes, and Kleinlein says the consequences are explosive.

A quick look back: in July 2024, Destatis reported that life expectancy had recovered after the pandemic years, though it stayed below the pre-pandemic trend. In June 2025, the office published its 16th coordinated population projection, with revised assumptions on how long people will live.

So the numbers are shifting, even if experts disagree on what that means.