Frankfurt 2025: A melting pot on the brink – Is the city still safe?

Frankfurt 2025: A melting pot on the brink – Is the city still safe?

Frankfurt am Main, often referred to as the “melting pot of cultures”, has changed significantly in the last ten years. Led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn, neglect in cities, especially in the Bahnhofsviertel, is increasingly being discussed. The concerns are not unfounded, as the station district, which was once an upscale residential and commercial area, is now confronted with drug problems and dangers for customers. Music store operator Bernhard Hahn highlights the alarming situation with estimates of 5,000 junkies and 300 dealers in the area.

Another item on the agenda is security measures, which have been significantly tightened since 2024. In a total of 36 major checks by the police, attempts were made to get the increasing drug crime under control. During this time, the population of Frankfurt grew by almost 100,000 to 776,843 residents. The proportion of foreigners in the city has also increased, from 191,034 in 2015 to 248,477 at the end of 2024 - representing over 32% of the total population. What is worrying is the rapidly growing proportion of Frankfurters with a migrant background, which rose from 88,430 in 2010 to 199,429 in 2024, making up more than 58% of the population.

Religious and cultural changes

There is also a change on the religious statistics front: While the number of Muslims in Frankfurt is around 137,000 people, the numbers of Catholics and Protestants have fallen to 122,000 and 96,000. The proportion of Christians fell from 45% in 2010 to 28% in 2024. A sign of cultural diversity is also the new Ramadan decorations that have been hung in the city since 2024, supported by tax funds of up to 100,000 euros. Traditional Easter customs, such as decorating fountains, are hardly seen anymore.

Another example of the upheaval in society as a whole are the demonstrations that have increased since 2015 with an Islamic or anti-Semitic background. Especially after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, several large anti-Israel demonstrations took place, reinforcing a general feeling of insecurity.

Crisis in the city center

Frankfurt's shopping streets are facing a light of their changing structure. More and more owner-managed shops are disappearing, while the Zeil, Germany's largest shopping street, is increasingly being converted into office space. This trend is counteracted by the growing presence of migrant youth gangs, which control the streets, especially at dusk.

Crime rates reflect the tense conditions: rapes rose from 436 in 2015 to an alarming 1,623 in 2024, and assaults increased from 6,379 to 9,418. The majority of suspects come from abroad, with over 57% of these suspects being non-German citizens. According to reports, the increase in statistics is often linked to social and economic stress among migrants, which is also reflected in juvenile crime.

Developments in recent years have led to a worrying state of the city center. The increase in rubbish and vacancies is obvious, which has ultimately led to increased penalties for rubbish offences. Mayor Mike Josef has already indicated measures internally to make Frankfurt not only safer, but also cleaner and more livable.

The challenges are great, but Frankfurt remains an important economic and cultural center. The city is known for its skyline, Germany's largest airport and a variety of educational institutions. It is all the more important to focus on cleanliness, safety and integration so that Frankfurt remains a place for everyone in the future.