BERLIN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Germany's population expanded by nearly 100,000 in 2024 to almost 83.6 million, but apparently lower than 340,000 increase seen in the previous year, according to preliminary estimates released by the Federal Statistical Office on Thursday.
"Net immigration was again the sole factor contributing to population growth in 2024," the office said in a report.
Net immigration, calculated as the difference between arrivals and departures, is estimated to have been between 400,000 and 440,000 in 2024, a drop of at least 34 percent compared to 2023 figure of 662,964.
"Preliminary data suggest that this decline is primarily due to reduced net immigration from Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, and European Union countries," the office said.
As in all years since German reunification, the country experienced more deaths than births in 2024. Both births and deaths decreased by approximately 2.5 percent, resulting in a birth deficit of 310,000 to 330,000.
According to the office, this marks the third consecutive year the birth deficit exceeded 300,000, with 2023 seeing the record-high deficit of 335,217. The average annual birth deficit was just 137,380 between 1991 and 2021. ■