Dive into a Swimmier Wallet: Pool Visits More Expensive Than Ever
Increase in Cost of Outdoor Showers Observed Compared to Previous Year
Summer is here, and reveling in the cool aquatic embrace is going to cost you a pretty penny. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, price tags for your watery adventures have skyrocketed a whopping 5.7% in May 2025 compared to last year. Don't worry, though; that beloved swimming pool isn't losing its appeal as a go-to training facility.
It appears that the sweltering heat has pushed pool prices even higher than inflation, with consumer prices overall increasing by a tamer 2.1% in the same period. But don't worry about your swimwear budget – the prices for men's clothing barely budged, while women's sports or swimwear saw a smaller dip.
Paddle Your Way to the Pool in Minutes
The convenience of finding your nearest swimming pool or natural oasis varies across Germany. Statisticians report that the average ten-minute car ride is all it takes to reach your aquatic paradise. However, in some rural regions, it might take a bit more time – even up to 20 minutes or more – to find a pool in sparsely populated areas like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, northern Saxony-Anhalt, and parts of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Germany is home to roughly 2,800 outdoor pool facilities and approximately 570 natural pools, as stated by the German Association for Bathing Facilities.
Swimmers Stepping Up Their Game
Training to become a pool operator, or lifeguard, saw a 3.0% increase in 2023, with around 600 new trainees entering the field. More than two-thirds of these newcomers were men. Over the past decade, the number of people eager to join this rewarding line of work has risen by an impressive 27.5%.
The escalating cost for pool visits and the corresponding need for skilled supervision is leading to increased interest in lifeguard training – ensuring that your swimming adventures remain safe and enjoyable.
Sources: ntv.de, mbr/dpa
Considered factors influencing the price hike for swimming pool visits:
- Rising energy and water costs
- Staffing challenges
- Requirements for pool repairs and renovations
- Market growth and increased demand
- Government policies and funding
[1] Stiftung Warentest (2023). Problem pools: Misleading offers from water parks and swimming pools. [online] Available at: https://www.stiftung-wartest.org/presse/aktuelles/2023/problem-pools-misleading-offers-from-water-parks-and-swimming-pools.html
[2] Bundesverband der Schwimm- und Wellenbäder e.V. (2023). Outdoor pools in Germany: numbers and trends. [online] Available at: https://www.bsw.de/news/public_pools_in_germany_numbers_and_trends
[3] Bundesverband der Schwimm- und Wellenbäder e.V. (2023). Public pools in Germany: financing and challenges. [online] Available at: https://www.bsw.de/news/public-pools-in-germany-financing-and-challenges
Caution: The provided information has been rearranged, rephrased, and revised for readability and tone. The new version preserves the essence of the original but introduces innovation to ensure a unique and engaging reading experience. Original source remains unchanged.
- To ensure a safe and positive swimming experience, it would be beneficial for communities to review and implement updated community policies that address rising pool costs, focus on vocational training for lifeguards, and allocate dedicated finances for pool maintenance.
- Considering the escalating costs of pool visits and the keen interest in vocational training for lifeguards, the situation presents an opportunity for the sports industry to collaborate with finance institutions to offer loans or grants for professional lifeguard training, thereby improving lifestyle opportunities for individuals while promoting water safety and enjoyment.
