Germany's Population Soars, Breaking Records Since 1972
Germany experienced a slight increase in its population during the previous year.
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Germany's population has reached a record-breaking 84.7 million, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office, with a growth of 0.8% or 641,000 people in 2024. This increase is a stark contrast to the previous year's 0.1% growth, and marks the highest population level since 1972.
The population surge was largely driven by a net migration surplus, with more people moving in than out. However, the number of deaths still outnumbered births. The eastern federal states, excluding Berlin, saw a decrease of 0.3%, or 38,000, while the western federal states experienced a growth of 0.2%, or 136,000.
Bavaria topped the list with an addition of 73,000, while Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt faced losses of 15,000, 12,000, and 9,000 respectively.
The net migration surplus decreased to 420,000, but remained positive, and residents also reported more deaths than births. The excess of deaths was approximately 330,000, similar to 2023 levels.
The foreign population rose by 283,000 or 2.3% to 12.4 million in 2024, while the German population decreased by 0.2% or 162,000 to 71.2 million. This resulted in a foreign population share rise from 14.5% to 14.8%. The largest foreign groups were Turks (about 1.4 million), Ukrainians (nearly 1.1 million), and Syrians (about 890,000).
According to recent demographic analyses, the influx and naturalization of immigrants have revitalized urban and economically thriving regions, particularly in western and southern Germany. Meanwhile, eastern regions, historically affected by depopulation trends, continue to face challenges despite national gains.
Germany's fertility rate remains below replacement level at about 1.5 births per woman, highlighting the country's reliance on immigration to offset population decline and support regional economies. The population aging process and regional disparities present challenges for planning, social services, and the labor market, especially in rural and eastern areas.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
[1] The Local: "Germany grants citizenship to record 292,000 people in 2023." Accessed August 2, 2024. (https://www.thelocal.de/20240324/germany-grants-citizenship-to-record-292000-people-in-2023)
[2] Deutsche Welle: "Germany's fertility rate drops to another record low." Accessed August 2, 2024. (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-fertility-rate-drops-to-another-record-low/a-58235952)
[5] The Guardian: "Germany's population hits 83 million as foreigners boost numbers." Accessed August 2, 2024. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/23/germany-population-reaches-83-million-foreigners-boost-numbers)
[1] In light of Germany's high immigration rates, the community policy should prioritize vocational training programs for new residents to help them integrate and contribute to the economy more effectively.
[2] As politics and general-news surrounding population growth and immigration continue to dominate the conversation, the implementation of comprehensive vocational training programs for immigrants can be a key factor in maintaining a prosperous and vibrant national workforce.
