DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
German news & articles
German foreign population growth sinks to lowest level in a decade
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

German foreign population growth sinks to lowest level in a decade

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Switzerland remains most popular destination for German expatsSwitzerland remains most popular destination for German expats
Germans see migration increasingly positivelyGermans see migration increasingly positively
Government rejects idea of distributing German flags to schoolchildrenGovernment rejects idea of distributing German flags to schoolchildren
Population of Germany shrinks for first time in 10 yearsPopulation of Germany shrinks for first time in 10 years
Schultüte: The tradition of the German school coneSchultüte: The tradition of the German school cone
German words expats should know: Ach soGerman words expats should know: Ach so
Funny German last names: The longest, weirdest and strangest surnamesFunny German last names: The longest, weirdest and strangest surnames
A brief history of the Reformation & Reformation Day in GermanyA brief history of the Reformation & Reformation Day in Germany
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Apr 2, 2021
Emily Proctor
Former Editor at IamExpat Media.Read more

Across the year of 2020, a total of 11,4 million expats and internationals were registered as living in Germany, a growth of 1,8 percent - the lowest increase in inward migration in the last 10 years.

The pandemic slowed inward migration for Germany in 2020

11,4 million people without German passports were living in Germany at the end of 2020, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) - an increase of 204.000 (1,8 percent) on the end of 2019, and therefore the smallest increase in the past 10 years. 

According to Destatis, the reason for the dip was falling net immigration, as the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany put constraints on foreign travel. In 2020, 740.000 foreigners immigrated to Germany, while 479.000 people emigrated from the country - a net increase of 262.000 people. In 2019, net migration was at 377.000 people. 

Immigration from other EU countries remains stable

In particular, the number of people from so-called "third countries" outside the European Union fell sharply, with net immigration shrinking year-on-year by 44 percent, to 157.000. The largest drop of all can be seen in the number of Indian nationals arriving in Germany, which fell from 21.000 arrivals in 2019 to just 8.000 in 2020. For the first time, the number of Chinese and US citizens who left Germany exceeded the number who arrived. 

Net immigration from EU countries remained roughly the same in 2020 as the year before. Excluding British citizens, approximately 107.000 people, or 2,2 percent more foreigners from EU countries came to live in Germany in 2020, a growth rate that is roughly equal to 2019.

By Emily Proctor