Boom in 2024: Germany's Record-Breaking Population
High Demand: Record-Breaking Population Residing in Germany
In a fascinating turn of events, the year 2024 saw Germany's population hit a record high, boasting approximately 83.6 million residents. This growth of 121,000 people, or a mere 0.1%, was fuelled primarily by immigration rather than births.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the excess of deaths over births was around 330,000 for the year, relatively similar to the previous year. However, the influx of immigrants over emigrants, known as the migration balance, decreased significantly from 660,000 to 420,000, shaping the overall population growth.
Population Growth in Western States
The population in western states saw a growth of 0.2%, while it dipped by 0.3% in eastern states (excluding Berlin). Bavaria experienced the most significant increase with 73,000 new residents, followed closely by the city-states of Berlin and Hamburg, each growing at a rate of 0.6%. Conversely, Thuringia experienced the most significant decrease, losing 15,000 residents, closely followed by Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, each losing 12,000 and 9,000, respectively.
Age Trends and Foreigner Percentage
Population trends varied by age group; there was a significant increase in the number of individuals aged 60 to 79 (up 2.2%) and a decrease in the number of people aged 40 to 59 (down 1.4%). This phenomenon was attributed to the large birth cohort of 1964 moving into the 60 to 79 age group. The number of people aged 80 and older also increased, making up 30.5% of the German population.
The foreign population grew by 2.3% to 12.4 million, while the German population rose by only 0.2%. The foreigner percentage climbed from 14.5% to 14.8%. The largest percentage was among those aged 20 to 59 (19.7%), while the lowest was among those aged 60 and older (6.3%).
A Closer Look: Depth Insights
- In-Depth Analysis: Despite a continued natural decrease in population due to a high death rate and a low fertility rate, Germany's overall population grew slightly in 2024. This growth was primarily due to net immigration, as the number of foreign nationals increased while the German citizen population decreased.
- Demographics of Immigrants: The foreign population makes up a significant portion of the working-age population (19.7%), counterbalancing the aging native population.
- Migration Motivations: Many immigrants arrive in Germany for work or study opportunities, filling workforce gaps caused by low birth rates and demographic shifts.
In essence, Germany's population growth in 2024 is predominantly driven by immigration due to a low birth rate and natural population decline. Immigration helps to offset these factors and provides new promising residents, particularly in the working age population, resulting in minor population growth despite natural decreases.
Sources: ntv.de, mbr/dpa
- Statistics
- Germany
- Migration
- The migration balance in Germany, which represents the difference between immigrants and emigrants, decreased significantly in 2024, contributing to the overall population growth.
- The employment policy and community policy will play crucial roles in accommodating the influx of immigrants into Germany, as many arrive for work or study opportunities.
