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Based on the International Cremation Statistics 2024 (The Cremation Society of Great Britain / Pharos), supplemented with national official sources where available.
Cremation continues its steady rise across Europe. The 2024 data confirms several significant milestones: Spain crosses the 50% threshold for the first time, Switzerland exceeds 87%, and Germany reaches 78%. Meanwhile Northern Europe holds its position at the top, with Denmark and Slovenia both above 87%.
This article presents a complete comparison of 2023 and 2024 cremation rates across European countries, with a focus on the data that is newly available this year.
“The rise of cremation across Europe is not just a statistical trend — it reflects a profound cultural shift in how societies relate to death, memory, and the environment.”
1. Key findings 2024
The 2024 data reveals several notable movements compared to 2023:
- Spain reaches 50.11% — crossing the symbolic 50% milestone for the first time.
- Denmark climbs to 87.94%, overtaking Slovenia as the highest in Europe with available data.
- Switzerland rises to 87.11%, up from 80.33% in the previous Pharos edition.
- Germany grows to 78%, continuing its steady upward trend.
- Norway crosses 51%, passing the majority mark for the first time.
- Finland rises from 63.95% to 65.40%.
- Italy inches up from 37.74% to 38.94%.
Note: several countries including France, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Hungary have not yet provided 2024 data to The Cremation Society. Their 2023 figures remain the most recent available.
2. Infographic: cremation rates by country (2024)
Cremation Rate by Country — Europe 2024 (% of deaths)
Sources: The Cremation Society of Great Britain — International Cremation Statistics 2024. Grey bars = 2023 data (most recent available). White = no data.
2023 data (most recent available)
Notable milestone
3. Full data table — 2023 vs 2024
| Country | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 86.48% | 87.94% | +1.46 |
| Slovenia | 86.69% | 87.19% | +0.50 |
| Switzerland | 80.33%* | 87.11% | +6.78 |
| Czech Republic | 85.64% | n/a | — |
| Sweden | 84.70% | n/a | — |
| Germany | 76.00% | 78.00% | +2.00 |
| Hungary | 73.54% | n/a | — |
| Luxembourg | 70.16% | 72.42% | +2.26 |
| Belgium | 67.98% | 68.90% | +0.92 |
| Netherlands | 68.37% | 67.85% | -0.52 |
| Finland | 63.95% | 65.40% | +1.45 |
| Portugal | 59.96% | 60.56% | +0.60 |
| Norway | 49.27% | 51.41% | +2.14 |
| Spain ⭐ | 47.78% | 50.11% | +2.33 |
| Austria | 44.64% | n/a | — |
| France | 41.28% | n/a | — |
| Italy | 37.74% | 38.94% | +1.20 |
| Ireland | 28.25% | 26.56% | -1.69 |
| Lithuania | 20.07% | n/a | — |
| Latvia | 14.78% | n/a | — |
| Greece | 4.61% | 5.17% | +0.56 |
| Romania | 0.49% | n/a | — |
* Switzerland 2023 figure revised in the 2024 Pharos edition. n/a = no 2024 data submitted to The Cremation Society at time of publication.
4. Regional trends
Northern and Central Europe — consistently above 80%, reflecting high levels of secularisation, well-developed cremation infrastructure, and longstanding cultural acceptance. Denmark, Slovenia, and Switzerland now all sit above 87%.
Western Europe — Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands range between 68% and 78%, with most showing continued growth. The British Isles hold steady above 80%.
Southern Europe — the most dynamic zone in relative terms. Spain’s crossing of the 50% threshold is the headline development of 2024. Italy and France continue their gradual upward trajectory, though both remain below 45%.
Eastern and Balkan Europe — Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria remain far below the European average, primarily due to strong Orthodox Christian traditions and limited cremation infrastructure. Greece edges up slightly to 5.17%.
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5. Frequently asked questions
Which country has the highest cremation rate in Europe in 2024?
Denmark leads with 87.94%, followed by Slovenia (87.19%) and Switzerland (87.11%).
Which country has the lowest cremation rate in Europe?
Romania records the lowest rate at 0.49% (Bucharest and Cluj only, 2023 data). Greece follows at 5.17% in 2024.
What is the cremation rate in Spain in 2024?
Spain reached 50.11% in 2024 — crossing the 50% mark for the first time, up from 47.78% in 2023.
Why do cremation rates vary so much across Europe?
The differences reflect a combination of cultural and religious traditions, legislation, the availability of crematoria, and the pace of secularisation. Northern and Western Europe lead, while Orthodox-majority countries in the South and East remain much lower.
Are cremation rates still rising in Europe?
Yes, across most countries. The 2024 data confirms the upward trend in Germany, Spain, Norway, Finland, and others. A few countries show slight decreases year-on-year, which may reflect reporting variations rather than genuine reversals.
Where can I find the full international cremation statistics?
The full dataset is published annually by The Cremation Society of Great Britain via Pharos International. The 2024 edition is available at cremation.org.uk.
Sources
The Cremation Society of Great Britain / Pharos International, International Cremation Statistics 2024.
The Cremation Society, International Cremation Statistics 2023 (2024 edition).
Last updated: April 2026.
Cremation Statistics in Europe by Country (2023 data) →
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