Although this figure sounds high at first, there is a clear downward trend compared to previous years. In 2023, net immigration was still around 663,000, in 2022 even over 1.45 million. Only in the coronavirus years 2020 (221,000) and 2021 (329,000) were lower figures recorded.
In total, around 1.69 million people came to Germany in 2024, while 1.26 million left the country.
Germany: Less migration from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey
According to the Federal Statistical Office, one of the main reasons for the decline is the lower immigration from certain countries of origin of asylum seekers. Net immigration from Syria fell by 25 percent to 75,000 people, from Turkey by as much as 53 percent to 41,000 and from Afghanistan by 32 percent to 33,000.
The asylum statistics also confirm a significant decline in asylum applications from these countries in 2024.
Continued constant migration from Ukraine
The inflow and outflow of people from Ukraine remained at the previous year's level of 121,000. Interestingly, both immigration and emigration from and to Ukraine fell significantly compared to previous years.
- In 2024, 222,000 people came to Germany from Ukraine. While 100,000 people left Germany for Ukraine.
- In 2023, there were still 276,000 immigrants and 155,000 emigrants to Ukraine.
This trend will continue in 2025. In the first four months of the year, net immigration from Ukraine was only just under 20,000 people. This is only half as high as in the same period in 2024. In April, net immigration even fell to around 3,000 people.
All of this points to a significant overall decline in migration in connection with Ukraine.
Germany is becoming less attractive in the EU
There is also a remarkable development in migration within the European Union. For the first time since 2008, Germany recorded negative net migration to other EU countries in 2024. In concrete terms, this means that 34,000 more people left Germany for the EU than vice versa.
Fewer people came from Poland (-21%), Bulgaria (-18%) and Romania (-8%) in particular, while outward migration to these countries remained stable or even increased slightly.
This shows that Germany is clearly becoming less attractive as a destination country within the European Union.
Brandenburg, Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein particularly popular
There were also numerous moves within Germany between the federal states. A total of around 1,004,000 moves across national borders were registered in 2024 - around three percent fewer than in the previous year.
Brandenburg recorded the largest gain in migration with an increase of 12,000 people, followed by Bavaria (+10,000) and Schleswig-Holstein (+9,000). On the other hand, Berlin lost the most inhabitants with around 15,000 people, followed by Thuringia (-6,000), Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia (-5,000 each).
Conclusion
The figures from the Federal Statistical Office indicate a trend reversal: Net immigration to Germany is falling noticeably - both due to fewer asylum seekers from important countries of origin and a negative migration balance within the EU.
While migration from Ukraine remains at the previous year's level, a clear decline in momentum can also be seen here. Within Germany, population gains are particularly evident in eastern German states such as Brandenburg - in contrast to losses in metropolitan areas such as Berlin.
It will be interesting to see how things develop over the course of 2025 and beyond - especially in light of the tighter asylum and migration regulations introduced by the German government.
