German Alpine Association continues to grow

The German Alpine Association grew by 2024 percent to a total of 3,30 million members in 1,57. As a major civil society actor, the DAV is also making eight demands to the future government for the 2025 federal election.

"We are very pleased with the continuous increase in membership," says DAV General Manager Andrea Händel. The DAV has been growing steadily since it was re-founded in 1950. In the last ten years, growth has often been above four percent, with a small dip during the Corona pandemic.

Over the past ten years, growth has often been above four percent, with a small dip during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the 2023 survey, the DAV even grew by 4,79 percent - a record. In 2024, the number of members increased by 50.221, which represents an increase of 3,30 percent. The DAV now has 1,57 million members.

Alpine Hiking_DAV:Julian Rohn
Image: DAV/Julian Rohn

Even more women in the DAV

As in previous years, the proportion of female members has increased and now stands at 44,2 percent. Ten years ago, this proportion was 41,2 percent. The average age of all DAV members has increased slightly from 42,9 years to 43 years. In general, it can be said that the increase in new members at the German Alpine Association in 2024 will be evenly distributed across all age groups.

DAV membership statistics 2024_Gender distribution
Image: DAV

Members value DAV services

A market research study commissioned by the DAV shows why people choose the German Alpine Association. The biggest motivation for becoming a DAV member was said to be their own closeness to nature. The new members surveyed particularly valued the following services provided by the DAV: alpine insurance cover, discounted overnight stays in huts and alpine advice. The most important task of the DAV was said to be maintaining the huts and trails.

DAV membership statistics 2024
Image: DAV

demands for the federal election

With 1,57 million members, the DAV is one of the four largest sports associations in Germany. Due to this significant size, the DAV has formulated eight demands for the future federal government for the federal election.

8 demands of the German Alpine Association

  • Launch an educational initiative for non-profit sports
  • More financial support for huts and trails
  • Consistently implement effective climate protection
  • Enabling sustainable mobility
  • Stop biodiversity loss and protect alpine habitats
  • Carefully implementing renewable energies in the Alpine region
  • Strengthening volunteer work – increasing the volunteer allowance for club tasks
  • Creating optimal conditions in competitive sports

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Cover DAV/Silvan Metz

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