More than a quarter of people in Germany have an "'immigration history," according to new official data.

The Federal Statistical Office of Germany (known as Destatis in German) said 21.8 million people — 26.3% of the population — either immigrated themselves or are children of two immigrants.

What is an 'immigration history'?

The data takes into account both first- and second-generation migrants living in Germany.

About 16.4 million people, or 19.8%, are first-generation immigrants, having moved to the country themselves. Growth in the category slowed in 2025, rising just 1.7% from 2024 after much larger increases in previous years.

Another 5.4 million people (6.5%) are second-generation, having been born in Germany to two immigrant parents who moved to Germany since 1950.

The past two decades have seen a particularly large increase across the two categories. Since 2005, the number of people with a migration background has risen from 13 million to 21.8 million in 2025 — an increase of 8.8 million, or 67%, according to Destatis.

The agency's term "immigration history" does not mean the same as another it commonly uses, "migration background," which also includes second-generation immigrants who have one German parent. 

Who has moved to Germany?

The largest origin groups among those deemed as having an immigration history are:

• Poland: ~1.5 million
• Turkey: ~1.5 million
• Ukraine: ~1.3 million
• Russia: ~1 million
• Syria: ~1 million

Among young immigrants aged 25 to 34, 33% have a university degree — similar to the overall population. However, 36% have no formal qualification, more than double the national average.

The data also shows clear age differences:

• 36% of people aged 25–34 have an immigration history
• Only 14% of those over 65 do
• People with an immigration history are about 9 years younger overall than the national average

Edited by: Mark Hallam