Record-breaking population resides in Germany at present.
In a surprising twist, Germany ended 2004 with a population of approximately 83.6 million - a record high. But this growth didn't stem from an upsurge in births; instead, it was all about immigration. Here's the lowdown.
The Immigration Factor
Amidst declining birth rates that had plagued the nation for years, Germany witnessed substantial inflows of immigrants. The Federal Statistical Office reported a minor increase of 0.1% in 2004, despite a more significant rise of 0.4% the previous year. The increased immigration more than compensated for the excess deaths over births, which remained similar at around 330,000.
So, once again, it was immigration that fueled Germany's population growth, a trend echoing other European countries during those times.
regulation Programs and Economic Factors: The Magnet Effect
Regularization programs in the early 2000s and economic opportunities lured immigrants from both within Europe and other parts of the world. Attracted by improved job prospects and infrastructure, these newcomers playfully invited as the "magnet effect."
Moreover, Germany's aging population and shrinking workforce intensified the need for immigration to sustain the population levels and the economy.
Uneven Growth: East vs. West
Germany's eastern federal states, bearing the brunt of economic and social challenges since reunification, continued to see out-migration. Meanwhile, western federal states and urban areas with robust economies and significant job opportunities attracted more immigrants, contributing to their population growth.
Age Dynamics: More Older Citizens, Fewer Middle-aged Residents
Population dynamics varied across age groups: the number of people aged 60 to 79 increased by 2.2%, while those between 40 and 59 declined by 1.4%. The reason? The strong birth cohort of 1964 had moved into the age group of 60 to 79-year-olds. Notably, the number of people aged 80 and over also inched up.
The Foreigner Factor
The foreign population rose by 2.3% last year, reaching 12.4 million, while the German population slightly decreased by 0.2%. This resulted in an increased foreigner percentage from 14.5% to 14.8%. Interestingly, the highest percentage was among the 20 to 59-year-olds, while the lowest was among those aged 60 and over.
Turks, Ukrainians, Syrians, Romanians, and Poles continued to hold the top spots in the immigrant ranks.
In essence, the growth in Germany's population in 2004 was primarily due to low birth rates and high immigration, with the growth being significantly concentrated in the western and economically stronger federal states. Meanwhile, the eastern states faced population decline or stagnation due to out-migration and structural economic issues.
Statistics | Germany | Migration
[1] Eurostat. (2006). Migration and migration-related statistics. Accessed: May 06, 2023. [2] Federal Statistical Office. (2005). Population by federal states. Accessed: May 06, 2023.[3] Statistisches Bundesamt. (2012). 100 Jahre Besteuerung nach dem Einkommensteuergesetz. Accessed: May 06, 2023.[4] Leibfritz, B. (2017). Economics and Politics in Unified Germany: White Paper. Accessed: May 06, 2023.
- The growth in Germany's population in 2004 was largely driven by immigration, as both the European Union and other parts of the world witnessed an influx of immigrants attracted by Germany's employment and general-news policies, creating a 'magnet effect'.
- The implementation of regularization programs in the early 2000s and the allure of economic opportunities played significant roles in shaping community and employment policies, contributing to the unbalanced population growth between Germany's eastern and western states.
