Although Germany’s population continues to grow, there is little cause for celebration among our western neighbors. The number of native citizens is declining, while towns and cities are increasingly overwhelmed by an influx of migrants.
At the end of 2024, Germany had nearly 83.6 million inhabitants. This marks an increase of 121,000 people, or 0.1%, compared to the previous year, according to data released today by the Federal Statistical Office. In 2023, the population grew at a faster rate—by 0.4% (338,000 people).
Germany Facing a Wave of Migration
Although Germany’s population was previously estimated at 84 million in 2022, a census conducted that same year revealed the figure had been overstated. It was subsequently revised downward to 82.7 million, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which noted that more people are now living in Germany than ever before.
According to statisticians, more people died than were born in Germany last year, continuing a trend from the previous year. As in 2023, the country’s population growth was driven solely by migration, with more people entering Germany than leaving. However, net migration—the difference between arrivals and departures—declined from 660,000 to 420,000.
Data from the Federal Statistical Office also show that the number of foreign nationals in Germany rose by 2.3% last year to 12.4 million, while the number of German citizens fell by 0.2% to 71.2 million. This demographic shift is particularly concerning.
Which countries are the primary sources of migrants to Germany? Turks make up the largest group, with more than 1.4 million residing in the country. Ukrainians follow, with over one million. The number of Syrian migrants is also nearing the one million mark, currently standing at 889,000. Other significant minority groups include Romanians (771,000) and Poles (723,000).