Germany's population increased by just 100,000 inhabitants to 83.6 million in 2024 amid a 34 percent drop in net migration (a term covering the number of immigrants moving to Germany compared to the number of emigrants leaving the country). The increase represents a decline compared to the growth of 340,000 people on an annual basis in 2023, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office "Destatis" published today and cited by DPA and BTA.
"Net migration was again the sole reason for population growth in 2024", the statistics office noted, adding that every year since the country's reunification in 1990 there have been more deaths than births.
According to initial estimates for 2024, the birth rate deficit, reflecting the difference between deaths and births in the country, is between 310,000 and 330,000. Meanwhile, net migration has fallen to between 400,000 and 440,000 people.
The data point to a decline of at least 34 percent, which is mainly due to a drop in migration from Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey and the European Union, according to "Destatis" data.