Turnout in Germany in the course of time: Life cycle and cohort effects on electoral turnout from 1953 to 2049

► We analyse turnout in Germany from 1953 until 2009 by using cohort analysis. ► The life cycle effect is comparably the most decisive factor for turnout. ► We apply the three effects of time to the future age distribution until 2049. ► The aging population in Germany leads to a decline in turnout in the next decades.