Germany records lowest net immigration in 15 years

A study by the German Institute for Economic Research (IW) shows that Germany's net immigration fell to 235,000 people in 2025, the lowest level in more than 15 years. The decline is driven by a sharp drop in asylum applications, which fell from 329,000 in 2023 to 113,000 in 2025, and by increased return migration of citizens from Eastern EU states. In 2025, the number of citizens from newer EU member states leaving Germany exceeded those arriving by 45,000.

The broader European context shows a record 64.2 million foreign‑born residents in the EU in 2026, with Germany remaining the main destination, hosting about 18 million people born abroad – roughly 21 % of its population. The reduced inflow is raising concerns about shortages of skilled labour in the German market, while other EU countries experience varying immigration pressures.