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Trend reversal: More Germans are leaving the EU than immigrating!
Germany will record an emigration trend to EU countries in 2024. Net migration falls, asylum numbers fall. Details on statistics and methods.
Trend reversal: More Germans are leaving the EU than immigrating!
There has been a remarkable trend in Germany in recent years: more and more people are moving to other EU countries instead of coming to Germany. This trend reversal was recently reported on Deutschlandfunk, where it became clear that in 2024 emigration exceeded immigration for the first time since 2008. According to the data, a net loss of 34,000 people migrated abroad, a clear sign of the changing migration flows within Europe. This phenomenon could have various causes, from professional perspectives to personal circumstances, which play a role in the decision to leave.
In addition to the decline in immigration from other countries, the influx of asylum seekers in Germany is also declining. Net immigration from Syria fell by 25 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year to just 75,000 people. This indicates a possible shift in refugee and migration movements to which Germany must respond.
Detailed migration statistics
What does this mean for the German population as a whole? A new method in migration statistics, the so-called cell key method, will be used from 2025. This technique slightly alters case numbers to ensure privacy, but could lead to discrepancies between published results and actual numbers. The migration statistics are based on registrations and deregistrations from registration offices in Germany. All moves, both within Germany and abroad, are recorded. Every move counts, even if someone moves several times within a reporting year, and is noted accordingly.
Monthly results are usually made available three and a half months after the end of the month in question, while final results are published in July of the following year. The upcoming survey could provide new insights into the migration behavior of Germans and show how migration affects society.
EU migration policy in view
In the European context, current migration policy also highlights the immigration of highly qualified workers. In 2023, around 89,000 skilled workers from non-EU countries received an EU Blue Card, with Germany leading the way, issuing 69,000 of these cards. This could indicate that, despite the outflow, Germany is able to attract skilled workers, which is crucial for the economy. Citizens from India in particular represent a significant proportion of immigrants.
What are the future prospects? The interaction of the emigration of Germans and the immigration of highly qualified specialists could create new dynamics that bring both opportunities and challenges for Germany. It remains exciting to see how these developments will shape themselves over the next few years.