Germany is home to a growing and increasingly diverse population. According to new data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), approximately 21.2 million people in Germany had a migration background in 2024 — meaning either they or both of their parents immigrated to Germany since 1950. That figure represents more than a quarter of the population and marks an increase of 873,000 people compared to 2023.
The updated figures come from the 2024 Microcensus and are now calculated using population benchmarks from the 2022 census. As a result, the total number of people with a migration background is about 900,000 lower than previous estimates, particularly affecting recent migrants with under 10 years of residence.
Who Makes Up Germany’s Migrant Population?
The majority of those with a migration background (around 16.1 million) were born abroad, making up roughly 19.4% of the total population. An additional 5.2 million were born in Germany to two foreign-born parents. Migration remains especially prominent among younger age groups: over one-third of people aged 20–39 have a migration background, compared to just 14% among those over 65.
Since 2015, Germany has welcomed around 6.5 million new arrivals. Between 2015 and 2021, most immigrants came from Syria, Romania, and Poland. From 2022 to 2024, the top countries of origin shifted to Ukraine, Syria, and Turkey — reflecting the impact of the war in Ukraine and ongoing crises in the Middle East.
Why People Come to Germany
When asked about their reasons for immigrating, 31% of post-2015 arrivals cited seeking refuge or international protection. Another 23% came for employment, and 21% for family reunification. Smaller but still significant groups immigrated for education, training, or marriage.
These new numbers are based on projections adjusted to the 2022 census, which revised previous population estimates downward by about 900,000 — particularly affecting recent arrivals. The updated data provides a more accurate picture of Germany’s demographic shifts.
