In 2023, Germany saw 1.9 million new arrivals and almost 1.3 million departures, resulting in a net migration of 663,000, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). According to Destatis, the decline in net immigration in 2023 is due to a decrease in the number of Ukrainians moving to Germany compared to 2022. Specifically, the number of immigrants from Ukraine fell from 1.09 million in 2022 to 276,000 in 2023.
In addition to Ukraine, Germany experienced a decrease in immigrants from Romania (-7%) and Bulgaria (-14%). Conversely, the number of Turkish immigrants increased by 56% compared to 2022. Despite the overall decline in net migration from European countries, Europe still contributed the most to net immigration, with a balance of +330,000 people.
In 2023, fewer Germans emigrated to other countries compared to the previous year. The primary destinations for German emigrants were Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. Official statistics show that 693,000 babies were born in Germany in 2023, a 6.2% decrease from the previous year, marking the lowest number of births since 2013, according to Destatis.
Meanwhile, a recent study by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs, and Spatial Development (BBSR) reveals that the number of elderly people in Germany is expected to surge. BBSR predicts that the population of those aged 65 and above will increase by more than 13% by 2024.
Amid these demographic challenges, the government has introduced a new law to expedite the process for foreign residents in Germany to obtain German citizenship.