A person with a migration background is defined as anyone who has either immigrated to Germany themselves or whose parents both immigrated to Germany since 1950. Anyone with only one parent who immigrated does not fall under this definition.
The figures from the Federal Statistical Office refer to the total population living in private households. This includes:
- German citizens
- foreign nationals (e.g., with a residence permit or Settlement permit)
- children born in Germany
One in five is an immigrant
According to the study, a large proportion of this group (first-generation immigrants) came to Germany on their own. In numerical terms, this means that of the total 21.8 million people with an immigrant background, around 16.4 million immigrated on their own.
What is particularly striking is that a large proportion come from just a few countries of origin. Of the 16.4 million immigrants, 39 percent were born in one of the following five countries:
The second generation is growing too
However, the population with an immigrant background includes not only those who immigrated themselves, but also their children born in Germany. In 2025, this so-called second generation comprised around 5.4 million people —about 6.5 percent of the population.
Compared to the previous year, this group grew by about three percent. In addition, there are approximately 4.2 million people with only one immigrant parent.
People with an immigrant background are, on average, younger
A clear difference is evident when it comes to age: people with an immigrant background are, on average, slightly younger. In 2025, their average age was 38.2 years, while people without an immigrant background were, on average, 47.6 years old.
The proportion is particularly high among young adults: more than one in three people aged 25 to 34 have an immigrant background. Among those over 65, however, the figure is only about one in seven.
Differences in Education and Qualifications
When it comes to education, the picture is mixed. About one-third of immigrants aged 25 to 34 have a college degree —a similar proportion to that of the general population.
In contrast, there are significant differences in terms of vocational qualifications. Thirty-six percent of young adult immigrants have no vocational qualification and are neither in vocational training nor pursuing a degree. In the general population, this proportion is significantly lower, at 17 percent.
The number has risen since 2005
Over the long term, the proportion of people with an immigrant background in Germany has grown. In 2005, their number stood at 13.0 million. By 2025, it had risen to 21.8 million.
About two-thirds of this increase is attributable to first-generation immigrants to Germany. About one-third is attributable to children born in Germany to two immigrant parents.
The figures also highlight the role that immigration plays in population trends. Overall, the population declined slightly for the first time in 2025 (by about 38,000 people). According to the Federal Statistical Office, this decline would have been significantly greater without the increase in the number of people with an immigrant background.
