Hesse's Population Boost: Immigration Outweighs Lower Births, Thanks to Net Migration and Economic Strength
Hessian Population Expansion, Despite Lower Birth Rates Persisting - Growth in Hesse's populace persists notwithstanding decreasing birth rates.
Despite a decrease in birth rates, Hesse managed to boost its population in 2024. This unexpected growth was primarily due to a considerable influx of immigrants, as reported by the State Statistical Office in Wiesbaden.
As the year drew to a close, the state counted approximately 6.28 million residents – a 0.2% increase from the previous year. Out of this number, 81.6% were German citizens, while the remaining 18.4% hailed from different nations. Women and girls comprised 50.7% of the population, barely edging out men and boys.
In 2024, around 225,300 people moved to Hesse, with over 62.7% arriving from abroad. Notably, over 17,800 of these foreign newcomers were from the war-torn country of Ukraine, highlighting a significant migrant influx. Conversely, only 194,600 residents departed the state, with 7,700 making their way to Ukraine. As a result, the statisticians noted a positive migration balance of 30,700 people in Hesse for 2024.
The number of babies born in the state during this year was roughly 53,100 – the lowest since 2013. This decline in the birth rate could be attributed to shifting societal and demographic trends, although precise figures for Hesse may not be readily available.
While the average age at death in Hesse was 79.3 years in 2024, this was a slight increase compared to the average of 79.0 years between 2018 and 2023. In addition, the number of deaths increased by approximately 1.1% compared to the previous five years’ average.
Hesse's largest population growth was observed in cities such as Darmstadt, Frankfurt, and Offenbach, while the districts of Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Werra-Meißner, and Odenwald recorded the most significant decreases.
- Immigration
- Frankfurt am Main
- Ukraine
- Hersfeld-Rotenburg
- Werra-Meißner
- Odenwald
- Economic Attractiveness
- Germany
- Women
- Birth Rate
- Demographic Composition
The surge in immigration, particularly from Ukraine, significantly contributed to the population growth in Frankfurt am Main, one of the cities in Hesse, offsetting the decrease in birth rates.
The positive migration balance, a result of more people moving into Hesse than leaving, also played a crucial role in the population boost in Hesse, with districts like Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Werra-Meißner, and Odenwald experiencing the most significant decreases due to net out-migration.
Immigration, driven by economic attractiveness, resulted in a more diverse demographic composition in Hesse, with women still making up just over half of the population. The lower birth rate, a reflection of societal and demographic trends, remained a concern despite the population growth driven by immigration.
