25/05/2025
1 in 4 living in Germany are now of a migrant background
Germany’s migrant population is growing rapidly, according to new data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), which shows that over one in four residents now has a migration background.
In 2024, the number of people with a migration background increased by 4 percent, or 873,000, from the previous year, reaching a record 21.2 million. This accounts for 25.6 percent of the population, up from 24.7 percent in 2023.
The term “migration background” refers to both first-generation immigrants and those born in Germany to two immigrant parents. Approximately 16.1 million people, or 19.4 percent of the population, are immigrants themselves, while 5.2 million, or 6.3 percent, are second-generation migrants born in Germany.
Meanwhile, the native-born population with no migration background declined by 1 percent, or 734,000 people, to 57.4 million, now making up 69.3 percent of the population.
Germany’s migrant population is notably younger. In 2024, 34 percent of people aged 20 to 39 had a migration background, compared to 14 percent of those over 65. The average age of individuals with a migration background is 38.2 years, nearly a decade younger than the 47.4-year average for those without. Those with only one immigrant parent have the youngest average age at 25.1 years.
Migration since 2015 has significantly driven these changes, with nearly 6.5 million people living in Germany in 2024 having arrived after that year.
Between 2015 and 2021, the largest groups of immigrants came from Syria (716,000), Romania (300,000), and Poland (230,000). From 2022 to 2024, Ukraine led with 843,000 arrivals, followed by Syria (124,000) and Turkey (112,000).
The primary reasons for migration since 2015 include seeking asylum (31 percent), employment (23 percent), and family reunification (21 percent). Among women, family reunification was a key factor for 26 percent, alongside 30 percent citing flight. For men, 32 percent cited flight and 28 percent employment.
The data highlights the rapid growth of Germany’s migrant population, raising serious concerns about demographic changes that are occuring and the very future of Germany as a nation.
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