Thuringia's Population Surges for the First Time in Years
Good news for Thuringia! The population in this German state has seen a significant uptick for the first time in years. This delightful development is mostly due to the influx of refugees from Ukraine, as revealed in data presented in Erfurt on Monday. According to Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD), the population increased by almost 18,000 individuals in 2022, equating to an entire town added to the count.
With around 2.13 million inhabitants as of the end of last year, Thuringia's population has been on the decline, particularly in rural areas, as shared by Holger Poppenhäger, the President of the State Statistical Office. The population growth, however, isn't solely reliant on this trend. The difference between the number of births and deaths has also seen a slight decrease, even though deaths still outnumber births.
The population surge in Thuringia is partly due to demographic factors, as suggested by the narrowing gap between births and deaths. However, the rise in population is also a direct result of immigration, including the admission of Ukrainian war refugees.
While specific data on Ukrainian refugees in Thuringia isn't readily available, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has gained support in eastern states like Thuringia, which could be related to concerns over immigration and integration issues.
It's worth noting that Thuringia has faced economic and integration challenges since post-reunification. Current immigration trends, such as the admission of Ukrainian war refugees, could impact population dynamics in the region.
Overall, the population in Thuringia has bounced back, thanks to a variety of factors, including a decrease in the difference between births and deaths and an increase in immigration. These trends provide an optimistic outlook for the future of this region in Germany.
