Is Germany's Population on the Rise? You Bet It Is!
Germany witnessed a minimal increase in its resident population over the past year.
Bursting past the 83.6 million mark, Germany's population is on a steady incline, according to the Federal Statistical Office. A slight uptick of 0.1% or 121,000 people, compared to the previous year, 2023, can be attributed to the country's net migration surplus—meaning more people moved in than out. Sadly, the number of deaths still surpassed the number of births.
Regional variations are quite evident. Western states saw a 0.2% increase, or 136,000 more inhabitants, while eastern states (excluding Berlin) experienced a slight dip of 0.3%, or 38,000 fewer in 2024.
Thuringia faced the most substantial loss with a decease of 0.7%, or 15,000 residents. Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt followed closely with losses of 12,000 (0.3%) and 9,000 (0.4%), respectively. In sharp contrast, Bavaria recorded a significant increase of 73,000.
The net migration surplus might have slightly decreased from 660,000 to 420,000, but it remains markedly positive, according to provisional figures. However, the resident population continues to decrease due to the prevailing excess of deaths over births. The death count was around 330,000 just like the previous year.
The foreign population swelled by 283,000, reaching 12.4 million in 2024, accounting for a 2.3% increase. Simultaneously, the German population dipped by 162,000, a 0.2% decrease, resulting in a boost to the foreigner percentage from 14.5% to 14.8%. The principal ethnic groups are Turks (around 1.4 million), Ukrainians (nearly 1.1 million), and Syrians (about 890,000).
Let's shed some light on the demographic shifts in Germany over the years. Overall, population growth has been slow, compared to neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland, due to a host of reasons such as regional differences, migration patterns, and the increase in foreign populations. The median age in Germany has been steadily rising, hovering around 45.5 years in 2025. Intriguingly, the foreign population now constitutes nearly 15% of Germany's total population, with significant communities from Turkey, Ukraine, and Syria.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
- The rise in Germany's population, as reported in the general-news, is largely due to its net migration surplus, a trend that continues to shape the country's community policy and demographic dynamics, particularly in terms of vocational training for the increasing foreign population.
- The increasing foreign population, a key component of the political discourse, is reshaping Germany's demographic profile. The growing number of migrants, including groups from Turkey, Ukraine, and Syria, is not only changing the ethnic makeup of the country but also is impacting vocational training programs in various regions.
