Big City Concert Series: Neuss Joins the Lineup
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany's most populous state, the population distribution and growth trend of major cities have shown a mixed picture between 2000 and 2020, deviating from the national average.
### Aachen: A City of Moderate Population Changes
Aachen, one of the major cities in NRW, has displayed moderate fluctuations in its population over the past two decades. In 1994, the city had approximately 246,570 inhabitants, which slightly increased to 247,740 by 2007. By 2011, the city's population had decreased to 238,665, but it recovered to 245,885 by 2015. As of 2024, Aachen’s population was approximately 261,000[2].
Aachen's population is diverse, with a notable foreign-born resident proportion, including significant communities from Turkey, China, Ukraine, Syria, and India[2].
### Growth Trend Compared to National Average
Germany's overall population growth has been slow, with many major cities experiencing demographic stagnation or slight decline, especially outside metropolitan areas. NRW, with its industrial legacy, has cities with varied growth: some cities faced population decline due to economic restructuring, while others, such as Aachen, managed population stabilization or modest growth[2].
Aachen's population trend between 2000 and 2020 aligns with the broader national trend of slow or stagnant growth in many urban areas, influenced by migration, economic factors, and demographic changes[2].
### Broader Context
Nationally, Germany experienced relatively slow population growth during this period, with some cities losing population while others gained due to internal migration and immigration. NRW, with its strong universities and diversified economies, has managed to maintain a relatively stable number of major cities and city dwellers over the past two decades[4].
In summary, major cities in NRW, exemplified by Aachen, have shown moderate population changes with minor fluctuations and some recovery over 2000 to 2020, reflecting a slow growth trend comparable to or slightly below the national average. Detailed data for other major cities in NRW would likely show a similar pattern of stability or slight decline in older industrial centers and growth in economically diversified urban areas.
[1] "NRW: 13 Major Cities Located in the Ruhr Region." Statista. 2020. [https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101773/nrw-major-cities-in-the-ruhr-region/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101773/nrw-major-cities-in-the-ruhr-region/)
[2] "Aachen: Demographic Change." City of Aachen. 2022. [https://www.aachen.de/stadt/verwaltung/statistik/aktuelle-statistik/demographische-daten/aachen-demographische-daten/](https://www.aachen.de/stadt/verwaltung/statistik/aktuelle-statistik/demographische-daten/aachen-demographische-daten/)
[3] "NRW: 30 Major Cities in 2020." Statista. 2020. [https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101774/nrw-major-cities-in-2020/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101774/nrw-major-cities-in-2020/)
[4] "Germany: Population Growth and Migration." German Federal Statistical Office. 2021. [https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Laender-Regionen/Regionen/Staedte/Staedte-und-Groessraeume/Staedte-und-Groessraeume-in-Zahlen/Staedte-und-Groessraeume-in-Zahlen.html](https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Laender-Regionen/Regionen/Staedte/Staedte-und-Groessraeume/Staedte-und-Groessraeume-in-Zahlen/Staedte-und-Groessraeume-in-Zahlen.html)
- In the context of Aachen's population distribution, it's interesting to observe the city's policy-and-legislation regarding immigration, given the significant foreign-born residents in the city.
- As the population growth in major cities across Germany, including Aachen, shows a slow or stagnant trend, politics and general news outlets must continue to address the challenges and opportunities associated with this demographic shift.
