Immigration - Who is coming to Germany and who is leaving? - The numbers
In the previous year, approximately 663,000 more people came to Germany than left. This migration surplus has therefore more than halved in comparison to 2022, as the Statistical Office in Wiesbaden reported. The main cause was the decreasing inflow of Ukrainian refugees. In the previous year, 1,098,000 Ukrainian women and men had moved to Germany, whereas it was only 276,000 people in 2023.
The highest migration surplus since the beginning of the time series in 1950 was recorded in 2022 with a total of around 1,462,000 more arrivals than departures. However, the net migration in 2023 remained at a high level in the long term, as the Federal Office explained. The value was only surpassed by 2022 in the years 2015 and 1992.
According to statistics, there were fewer inflows from Romania (-7%) and Bulgaria (-14%) in 2023 compared to the previous year. On the other hand, significantly more people came from Turkey (+56%). Mostly, people from Europe contributed to the net migration, followed by people from Asia and Africa. Among the Asian countries, the number of inflows from Syria increased by around half to 102,000, while the number of inflows from Afghanistan decreased by 12% to 49,000.
Popular: Switzerland, Austria, USA
The Federal Office reported that Germany has had a net outflow of people since 2005. In 2023, the loss of German citizens abroad was lower than the previous year (-74,000 German citizens compared to -83,000 persons). The main destinations were, as in previous years, Switzerland, Austria, and the USA. In 2023, 21,000 Germans emigrated to Switzerland, 13,000 to Austria, and 9,000 to the USA, according to the Federal Office's further information.
Both inflows and outflows are included in the migration statistics. If people register multiple times during the reporting period or do not register their departure or arrival, multiple migrations are recorded, as the Federal Office explained. If someone does not report to the registration authorities in Germany after entering or does not report their departure to the registration authorities before leaving, there is an under-reporting.
- Despite the decrease in Ukrainian refugee arrivals, Germany still experienced a significant migration surplus in 2023, as reported by Destatis.
- In contrast to Ukraine, the inflow of people from Turkey increased significantly in 2023, according to the immigration statistics.
- The Statistical Office in Wiesbaden noted that the main reason for the reduced migration surplus was the decrease in Ukrainian arrivals.
- Germany has been experiencing a net outflow of citizens since 2005, with Switzerland, Austria, and the USA being the main destinations, as per the Federal Office's records.
- The number of inflows from Romania and Bulgaria decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year, while the number of inflows from Syria increased by around half, as reported by Destatis.
- The Federal Office also explained that both inflows and outflows are included in migration statistics, with multiple migrations recorded if individuals register multiple times.
- Under-reporting occurs when individuals do not report to the registration authorities in Germany after entering or do not report their departure to the registration authorities before leaving, as noted by Destatis.
