According to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), almost 270 thousand German citizens left Germany in 2024, which is one of the highest recorded numbers since statistics began to be kept.

A total of around 1.694 million people of all nationalities immigrated to Germany that year, while emigration amounted to around 1.264 million, resulting in a positive migration balance of around 430 thousand. However, within that statistic, German citizens recorded a negative balance of over 87 thousand, meaning that more of them left than returned.

Most emigrants are young people aged 18 to 29, who make up the largest individual group, and two thirds of all emigrants are younger than 40. At the same time, the number of retirees emigrating is also increasing, and they return less often. The main reasons for leaving the country are work and career, lifestyle, and family and partner relationships. Research shows that more than three quarters of emigrants have higher education qualifications, and the average net income after emigration increases by around 1,100 to 1,200 euros per month. Because of this, experts often speak of “brain circulation,” since many emigrants acquire additional knowledge and experience over time and return.

It is estimated that around 2.6 million Germans currently live abroad, which is approximately 3% of Germany’s total population. This places the country among the leading industrial states with a high share of citizens abroad.

As for the overall demographic context, at the end of 2024 almost 83.6 million inhabitants lived in Germany, marking a very modest increase of 0.1% compared to the previous year, and population growth was entirely the result of immigration. The share of older citizens continues to rise, and around 78% of the population lives in urban areas.

In the labor market, employment was stable in the first half of 2025, with around 45.8 to 46 million employed, while the unemployment rate in July was 6.3%, or almost three million unemployed persons.

Germany’s economic outlook for 2025 shows stagnation, with slight economic growth forecast for 2026 and 2027. Exports, which until now had been one of the main drivers of the economy, fell slightly in the first half of 2025, and uncertainties such as American tariffs are further slowing the outlook.

Inflation stood at 2.0% in July, while preliminary data for August showed a slight increase to 2.2%. The cost of living, especially food prices, continues to be a challenge for consumers.

In the end, Germany remains one of the world’s leading industrial and exporting countries, but it faces challenges such as a negative migration balance among its own citizens, an aging population, and an unfavorable foreign trade environment. Therefore, policy focused on attracting, retaining, and bringing back skilled professionals is becoming increasingly important for the country’s future.

This overview is based on data from Destatis, research on migration, and demographic and economic forecasts for Germany in 2024 and 2025.