The population of Germany has decreased for the first time since 2020.
For the first time since 2020, Germany's population has seen a slight decline, as revealed by new data released by the Federal Statistical Office on Thursday. At the end of 2025, approximately 83.5 million people were residing in the country, which is considered a decrease of about 100,000 compared to the previous year's figures.
This change in population dynamics comes after a long period of growth. The last recorded decline occurred between 2003 and 2010, with a steady increase in population from 2011 to 2024, except for the pandemic year 2020. The current decline indicates a significant shift in demographic trends within the country.
As has been the case every year since the reunification of Germany in 1990, a greater number of deaths than births was recorded in 2025. However, unlike previous years, this decline was not compensated for by immigration. The absence of the balancing effect of immigration contributed to the reduction in the total population.
Official statistics indicate that the number of people who arrived in Germany in 2025 is more than those who left, ranging between 220,000 and 260,000. This figure reflects a decrease of at least 40% in the number of migrants compared to 2024, when the gap between arrivals and departures was about 430,000.
With the combined effects of increased mortality and decreased immigration, Germany faces new demographic challenges during this period of population decline. The impacts on social services, workforce dynamics, and economic growth could be significant as the country adapts to this changing landscape.