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The official question catalogue has 7 questions on this topic. In the app you practise them with instant feedback and in the exam simulation.
Around 84 million inhabitants
At the end of 2025, around 83.5 million people lived in Germany (as of October 2026). In 2025 the population fell slightly, by 0.1 per cent.
Most people quote the rounded figure of around 84 million. The exact population changes over time, which is why the Federal Statistical Office regularly publishes new figures.
Germany lies in the middle of Europe and therefore has many neighbours. They lie to the north, west, east and south. The country is also a member of the European Union.
The nine neighbouring countries
Germany borders nine countries. They lie in different directions:
- To the north: Denmark.
- To the east: Poland and the Czech Republic.
- To the south: Austria and Switzerland.
- To the west: France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The border with Poland runs for the most part along the Oder and Neisse rivers, and the border with France partly along the Rhine.
German in Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg
In Austria, German is the official language, and a large part of the population speaks German.
German is spoken in Switzerland too, but the country has several national languages. Alongside German, these include French, Italian and Romansh.
German is also an official language in Luxembourg. There, French and Luxembourgish are official languages alongside German.
It helps to remember where German is an official language. These are Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Neighbours or not? Typical mix-ups
Many countries are in Europe but do not share a land border with Germany. These include Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
Hungary is in Central Europe, but it does not border Germany. It borders Austria. Greece and Bulgaria are in south-eastern Europe. Spain and Portugal are in the south-west, and Norway, Finland and Sweden in the north.
Germany in Europe
Eight of the nine neighbouring countries belong to the European Union. As of October 2026, Switzerland is not a member of the EU. Even so, it is a direct neighbour of Germany.
Across the borders, people and companies work, travel and trade with one another every day. The exchange is especially close in Germany's border regions.
The list to remember
If you know the nine neighbours by heart, you can quickly tell which countries border Germany: Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.
These 7 questions are in the test
- 213Wie viele Einwohner hat Deutschland?
- 222Welches Land ist ein Nachbarland von Deutschland?
- 223Welches Land ist ein Nachbarland von Deutschland?
- 225In welchem anderen Land gibt es eine große deutschsprachige Bevölkerung?
- 227Welches Land ist ein Nachbarland von Deutschland?
- 229Welches Land ist ein Nachbarland von Deutschland?
- 233Welches Land ist ein Nachbarland von Deutschland?
Each question with its explanation is on the question pages. You can practise with answers in the app.
SourcesStatistisches Bundesamt: Bevölkerung Deutschlands sinkt im Jahr 2025 um 0,1 ProzentBundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Staatsgrenzenoesterreich.gv.at: Amtssprache
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