Sizzling Summer Fun Ain't Cheap: Swimming Pool Prices Skyrocket
Hit' em up:
Increased Cost of Outdoor Bathing Compared to Previous Year
In the face of scorching summer heat, a trip to the swimming pool will set you back more dough than last year, according to stats from the Federal Statistical Office. Swimming pool admission prices witnessed a 5.7% hike in May 2025 compared to May 2024.
Swim gear squad:
The cost of swimming accessories, from swanky swimsuits to sports gear, showed mixed trends. Men's swimwear price crawled up by 0.6%, while the price for women's swimwear dipped by 1.1% compared to the year before. Meanwhile, consumer prices overall soared by 2.1% during the same span.
Closer than ever: Public pools nearby
Before you dive in, the distance to your local swim spot depends on where you live in Germany. On average, you can reach the nearest natural pool or swimming facility in about ten minutes by car, as per statisticians. But in some rural regions, it might take you more than 20 minutes to reach the pool, including in thinly populated areas like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, northern Saxony-Anhalt, and parts of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Some quick facts: There are around 2,800 outdoor swimming pools and approximately 570 natural swimming facilities in Germany, according to the German Bathing Facilities Association.
More lifeguards on duty
Approximately 600 new trainees joined the ranks of lifeguards and swimming pool managers in 2023, marking a 3.0% climb compared to the previous year. Almost two-thirds of these trainees were male. Over the last decade, the number of folks getting into this training has increased by more than a quarter (27.5%).
Sources: ntv.de, mbr/dpa
- Germany
- Swimming fun
- Money matters
- To manage your personal-finance and budgeting amidst rising swimming pool prices, consider following the community policy on vacation or explore less expensive outdoor-living activities such as home-and-garden projects.
- Despite the surge in swimming pool admission prices, investing in vocational training for a career in lifeguarding or pool management could prove beneficial, given the increase in job opportunities in this field.
- With the rise in swimming pool prices, one might need to reconsider buying expensive swimming gear, as the overall cost of accessories does not necessarily align with the trends reflected in consumers' lifestyles.
