Germany’s 17 Million Immigrants: Where They Come From
See more visualizations like this on the Voronoi app.
Save to Inbox
Where Germany’s 17 Million Immigrants Were Born
Key Takeaways:
- About 17 million people living in Germany were born abroad, compared with 4.3 million German-born people living overseas.
- Poland is the largest birthplace among Germany’s foreign-born population, while the U.S. is the leading destination for German-born emigrants.
- Germany has expanded skilled-worker immigration pathways to help address labor shortages.
Germany is one of the world’s largest destinations for international migrants, shaped by decades of labor migration, European mobility, and more recent refugee arrivals.
This graphic by DataPulse Research uses UN international migrant stock data compiled by Our World in Data and analysis from DataPulse Research to show where Germany’s foreign-born residents originated and where German-born emigrants live.
The figures represent people living outside their country of birth, rather than annual migration flows.
Where Germany’s Immigrants Come From
The table below ranks the largest countries of origin for Germany’s foreign-born population, based on data compiled by Our World in Data.
Rank | Country of Origin | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
1 | 🇵🇱 Poland | 11.0 |
2 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 9.0 |
3 | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 8.5 |
4 | 🇷🇺 Russia | 6.8 |
5 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 5.8 |
6 | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | 5.4 |
7 | 🇸🇾 Syria | 5.1 |
8 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 2.6 |
9 | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 2.1 |
10 | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 2.1 |
Poland accounts for 11% of Germany’s foreign-born population, followed by Türkiye at 9% and Ukraine at 8.5%. These populations reflect several migration waves, including postwar labor recruitment, EU labor mobility, and more recent humanitarian migration from Ukraine and Syria.
Germany’s broader migration footprint extends beyond its foreign-born population. In 2025, 21.8 million residents, or 26.3% of the population, had an “immigration history,” meaning they had immigrated themselves or both parents had immigrated. This measure also includes some people born in Germany, making it broader than the foreign-born population shown in the graphic.
Germany’s Immigration Policies
Labor shortages have helped shape Germany’s immigration policies. The expanded Skilled Immigration Act broadened pathways for qualified workers, including an Opportunity Card for job seekers and expanded access to the EU Blue Card. According to the OECD, reforms implemented in 2024 also made the recognition of foreign qualifications more flexible.
Alongside these labor migration measures, Germany has pursued integration programs and policies addressing asylum and irregular migration.
Where German-Born Emigrants Live
The U.S. hosts the largest population of German-born emigrants, at 1.1 million, or roughly one in four living abroad.
European countries also feature prominently. Switzerland, the UK, and Austria are among the largest destinations, reflecting geographic proximity, employment opportunities, and established migration links. Türkiye also ranks highly, illustrating how migration between the two countries extends in both directions.
Rank | Destination Country | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
1 | 🇺🇸 US | 26.0 |
2 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 8.7 |
3 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 8.5 |
4 | 🇬🇧 UK | 6.7 |
5 | 🇦🇹 Austria | 6.2 |
6 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 4.5 |
7 | 🇫🇷 France | 4.4 |
8 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 4.1 |
9 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2.9 |
10 | 🇬🇷 Greece | 2.9 |
These figures differ from annual departure statistics. In 2025, Switzerland, Austria, and Spain were the most common destinations recorded for people moving out of Germany.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
For another look at changing global migration patterns, see Ranked: Countries With the Fastest Immigration Growth (2019–2024) on the Voronoi app.
This article was published as a part of Visual Capitalist's Creator Program, which features data-driven visuals from some of our favorite Creators around the world.
Mapped: America’s Happiest States in 2026
Which U.S. states are happiest in 2026? See all 50 states ranked and discover why Hawaii tops the list while West Virginia ranks last.
Which U.S. States Are the Happiest in 2026?
Key Takeaways:
- Hawaii ranks as America’s happiest state in 2026, scoring 69.5 out of 100, followed by New Jersey and Utah.
- West Virginia ranks last at 31.9, with Louisiana, Arkansas, Alaska, and Kentucky rounding out the bottom five.
- Utah ranks first nationally in both work environment and community and environment, helping it secure third place overall.
Where Americans live can shape their quality of life, from physical and mental health to job satisfaction and community connections.
This visualization ranks all 50 states using WalletHub’s 2026 happiness index, which evaluates 30 metrics across emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.
Ranking America’s Happiest States
The following table shows each state’s overall happiness score:
Rank | State | Score | Well-Being Rank | Work Environment Rank | Community & Environment Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hawaii | 69.53 | 2 | 5 | 18 |
2 | New Jersey | 67.09 | 1 | 24 | 23 |
3 | Utah | 66.45 | 17 | 1 | 1 |
4 | Idaho | 62.59 | 19 | 3 | 2 |
5 | Maryland | 62.01 | 6 | 20 | 11 |
6 | Nebraska | 61.81 | 11 | 6 | 8 |
7 | Connecticut | 61.38 | 5 | 27 | 9 |
8 | Minnesota | 60.91 | 8 | 11 | 17 |
9 | California | 60.58 | 4 | 36 | 19 |
10 | New Hampshire | 59.89 | 12 | 8 | 14 |
11 | New York | 59.38 | 3 | 34 | 39 |
12 | North Dakota | 59.38 | 22 | 4 | 6 |
13 | Massachusetts | 57.26 | 7 | 17 | 43 |
14 | North Carolina | 56.77 | 15 | 21 | 15 |
15 | South Carolina | 56.65 | 25 | 13 | 3 |
16 | Virginia | 56.08 | 10 | 31 | 32 |
17 | Arizona | 55.58 | 16 | 33 | 13 |
18 | Georgia | 54.22 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
19 | Washington | 53.97 | 18 | 25 | 33 |
20 | Iowa | 53.60 | 27 | 16 | 16 |
21 | Florida | 53.44 | 9 | 29 | 48 |
22 | Vermont | 53.30 | 31 | 9 | 7 |
23 | Kansas | 52.91 | 26 | 12 | 31 |
24 | South Dakota | 52.61 | 29 | 2 | 41 |
25 | Pennsylvania | 52.42 | 20 | 37 | 27 |
26 | Illinois | 51.53 | 13 | 40 | 42 |
27 | Wisconsin | 51.22 | 30 | 18 | 34 |
28 | Delaware | 50.81 | 14 | 28 | 47 |
29 | Rhode Island | 49.54 | 23 | 26 | 45 |
30 | Montana | 49.51 | 43 | 7 | 10 |
31 | Missouri | 49.02 | 33 | 15 | 24 |
32 | Nevada | 48.39 | 37 | 39 | 5 |
33 | Indiana | 48.38 | 34 | 19 | 21 |
34 | Maine | 48.19 | 42 | 10 | 20 |
35 | Texas | 48.11 | 24 | 30 | 46 |
36 | Colorado | 47.31 | 28 | 23 | 49 |
37 | Mississippi | 46.81 | 35 | 46 | 12 |
38 | Michigan | 46.03 | 32 | 45 | 28 |
39 | Ohio | 45.94 | 39 | 32 | 26 |
40 | Oklahoma | 44.78 | 46 | 43 | 4 |
41 | Tennessee | 43.63 | 41 | 14 | 44 |
42 | Oregon | 43.52 | 44 | 38 | 29 |
43 | Wyoming | 43.26 | 40 | 42 | 35 |
44 | New Mexico | 43.10 | 36 | 48 | 37 |
45 | Alabama | 42.80 | 45 | 35 | 36 |
46 | Kentucky | 38.84 | 48 | 41 | 25 |
47 | Alaska | 38.65 | 38 | 44 | 50 |
48 | Arkansas | 38.44 | 47 | 47 | 30 |
49 | Louisiana | 34.49 | 49 | 49 | 38 |
50 | West Virginia | 31.88 | 50 | 50 | 40 |
One of the more surprising results is New Jersey’s second-place finish. The state ranks first nationally for emotional and physical well-being, despite placing 24th for work environment.
Utah offers a different path to the top, ranking first in both work environment and community and environment. California also makes the top 10, despite ranking just 36th for work environment.
Why Hawaii Ranks First and West Virginia Last
Hawaii combines the nation’s longest life expectancy, at 81.9 years, with the second-lowest depression rate and an unemployment rate of just 2.5%. Its natural surroundings may offer additional lifestyle benefits, although the state’s high cost of living remains a challenge.
West Virginia presents a stark contrast, ranking last for both emotional and physical well-being and work environment. Its comparatively high depression rate and weaker employment conditions help explain its position.
How Workplace Culture Shapes Happiness
Work environment plays an important role in the rankings, but states with strong workplace conditions don’t always lead in overall happiness.
Utah ranks first nationally for work environment, while Idaho places third and North Dakota fourth. All three rank highly overall, suggesting that working conditions can contribute to broader well-being.
However, New Jersey ranks second overall despite placing 24th for work environment. California shows an even larger gap, ranking ninth overall but 36th for work environment.
Does Geography Influence Happiness?
Geography reveals some notable patterns in the rankings. The Northeast performs particularly well, with New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Hampshire all placing in the top 10.
Meanwhile, several Southern states rank near the bottom, including Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
But neighboring states can have very different outcomes. Utah ranks third and Idaho fourth, while nearby Wyoming sits considerably lower with a score of 43.3.
These contrasts suggest that differences in health, employment, and community conditions may be more informative than geography alone. For a global comparison, see our ranking of the world’s happiest and unhappiest countries.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
Explore how happiness differs internationally in How Happy Are the World’s Population Giants?, which compares happiness across some of the world’s most populous countries.
Mapped: Europe’s Surging Migrant Population (2000–2024)
Explore how Europe’s migrant population changed since 2000, from the UK’s 7.1 million increase to Malta’s record 827% growth.
How Has Europe’s Migrant Population Changed Since 2000?
Key Takeaways:
- Europe’s resident migrant population grew by 40.8 million, or 67%, between 2000 and 2024.
- The UK added the most migrants in absolute terms (7.1 million), followed by Spain (6.8 million) and Germany (6.4 million).
- Malta recorded the largest percentage increase (827%), while Bosnia and Herzegovina saw the steepest decline (-59%).
Europe’s migrant population has expanded significantly since 2000, reshaping labor markets and demographics across the continent.
This visualization uses United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) estimates to compare resident migrant populations between July 2000 and July 2024. Depending on country-level definitions, the estimates may include refugees, asylum seekers, and naturalized residents.
The figures measure changes in the number of migrants living in each country, rather than cumulative arrivals or net migration flows.
Which European Countries Added the Most Migrants?
The following table ranks European countries by the absolute increase in their resident migrant populations:
Rank | Country | Migrant Population | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 2024 | Growth | ||
1 | 🇬🇧 UK | 4,747,902 | 11,845,479 | 7,097,577 |
2 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 2,023,886 | 8,870,527 | 6,846,641 |
3 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 10,397,459 | 16,750,084 | 6,352,625 |
4 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 1,279,019 | 7,083,501 | 5,804,482 |
5 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 2,143,259 | 6,553,671 | 4,410,412 |
6 | 🇫🇷 France | 6,141,350 | 9,186,757 | 3,045,407 |
7 | 🇦🇹 Austria | 920,045 | 2,327,064 | 1,407,019 |
8 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 1,584,638 | 2,956,518 | 1,371,880 |
9 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 1,484,514 | 2,773,840 | 1,289,326 |
10 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 1,076,676 | 2,349,032 | 1,272,356 |
11 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 1,022,156 | 2,272,158 | 1,250,002 |
12 | 🇵🇱 Poland | 822,627 | 1,739,901 | 917,274 |
13 | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 376,321 | 1,216,237 | 839,916 |
14 | 🇳🇴 Norway | 292,440 | 1,012,404 | 719,964 |
15 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 134,204 | 655,579 | 521,375 |
16 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 651,472 | 1,127,184 | 475,712 |
17 | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 372,128 | 847,475 | 475,347 |
18 | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 296,957 | 689,565 | 392,608 |
19 | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 639,018 | 1,025,199 | 386,181 |
20 | 🇫🇮 Finland | 136,203 | 514,432 | 378,229 |
21 | 🇬🇷 Greece | 1,111,665 | 1,423,964 | 312,299 |
22 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 43,360 | 299,100 | 255,740 |
23 | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 116,376 | 323,991 | 207,615 |
24 | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 139,750 | 344,309 | 204,559 |
25 | 🇲🇹 Malta | 21,521 | 199,466 | 177,945 |
26 | 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 80,076 | 202,062 | 121,986 |
27 | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 214,508 | 315,122 | 100,614 |
28 | 🇮🇸 Iceland | 15,892 | 98,818 | 82,926 |
29 | 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | 125,665 | 150,902 | 25,237 |
30 | 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 73,743 | 92,237 | 18,494 |
31 | 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | 15,483 | 27,669 | 12,186 |
32 | 🇲🇨 Monaco | 21,787 | 27,106 | 5,319 |
33 | 🇦🇱 Albania | 76,695 | 46,377 | -30,318 |
34 | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | 214,311 | 175,194 | -39,117 |
35 | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 249,512 | 203,046 | -46,466 |
36 | 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 82,952 | 34,120 | -48,832 |
37 | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 585,298 | 527,831 | -57,467 |
38 | 🇲🇩 Moldova | 250,134 | 188,207 | -61,927 |
39 | 🇧🇾 Belarus | 1,123,586 | 1,054,604 | -68,982 |
40 | 🇱🇻 Latvia | 430,178 | 220,471 | -209,707 |
41 | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 5,527,087 | 5,064,173 | -462,914 |
42 | 🇷🇸 Serbia | 1,419,951 | 712,550 | -707,401 |
43 | 🇷🇺 Russia | 11,900,297 | 7,605,774 | -4,294,523 |
Together, the UK, Spain, and Germany accounted for nearly half of Europe’s total increase, adding approximately 20.4 million migrants.
However, the percentage rankings tell a different story. Smaller countries recorded some of the largest proportional gains, led by Malta (+827%), Bulgaria (+590%), and Iceland (+522%).
Rank | Country | Growth in resident migrant population %(2000-2024) | Change (people) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 🇲🇹 Malta | 826.8 | 177,945 |
2 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 589.8 | 255,740 |
3 | 🇮🇸 Iceland | 521.8 | 82,926 |
4 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 453.8 | 5,804,482 |
5 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 388.5 | 521,375 |
6 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 338.3 | 6,846,641 |
7 | 🇫🇮 Finland | 277.7 | 378,229 |
8 | 🇳🇴 Norway | 246.2 | 719,964 |
9 | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 223.2 | 839,916 |
10 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 205.8 | 4,410,412 |
11 | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 178.4 | 207,615 |
12 | 🇦🇹 Austria | 152.9 | 1,407,019 |
13 | 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 152.3 | 121,986 |
14 | 🇬🇧 UK | 149.5 | 7,097,577 |
15 | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 146.4 | 204,559 |
16 | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 132.2 | 392,608 |
17 | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 127.7 | 475,347 |
18 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 122.3 | 1,250,002 |
19 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 118.2 | 1,272,356 |
20 | 🇵🇱 Poland | 111.5 | 917,274 |
21 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 86.9 | 1,289,326 |
22 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 86.6 | 1,371,880 |
23 | 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | 78.7 | 12,186 |
24 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 73 | 475,712 |
25 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 61.1 | 6,352,625 |
26 | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 60.4 | 386,181 |
27 | 🇫🇷 France | 49.6 | 3,045,407 |
28 | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 46.9 | 100,614 |
29 | 🇬🇷 Greece | 28.1 | 312,299 |
30 | 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 25.1 | 18,494 |
31 | 🇲🇨 Monaco | 24.4 | 5,319 |
32 | 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | 20.1 | 25,237 |
33 | 🇧🇾 Belarus | -6.1 | -68,982 |
34 | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | -8.4 | -462,914 |
35 | 🇭🇷 Croatia | -9.8 | -57,467 |
36 | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | -18.3 | -39,117 |
37 | 🇪🇪 Estonia | -18.6 | -46,466 |
38 | 🇲🇩 Moldova | -24.8 | -61,927 |
39 | 🇷🇺 Russia | -36.1 | -4,294,523 |
40 | 🇦🇱 Albania | -39.5 | -30,318 |
41 | 🇱🇻 Latvia | -48.7 | -209,707 |
42 | 🇷🇸 Serbia | -49.8 | -707,401 |
43 | 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina | -58.9 | -48,832 |
Spain’s migrant population more than quadrupled, partly reflecting its early-2000s construction boom and a 2005 regularization program that attracted nearly 700,000 applications.
Meanwhile, the UK’s migrant population rose 149% over the period. More recently, however, migration trends have shifted. According to the Office for National Statistics, annual net migration fell to 171,000 in 2025, following tighter visa rules.
Not every country experienced growth. Russia recorded the largest absolute decline, with its resident migrant population falling by approximately 4.3 million. Serbia, Ukraine, and several other Eastern European countries also recorded decreases.
Why Has Europe Become a Migration Hub?
Economic opportunities, EU freedom of movement, family reunification, and humanitarian protection have all contributed to Europe’s growing migrant population.
An aging workforce has also increased demand for foreign workers in healthcare, construction, and hospitality. These pressures help explain broader immigration trends across developed economies.
Conflicts have also reshaped migration patterns, particularly the Syrian refugee crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
What Does Rising Immigration Mean for Europe?
Immigration can ease labor shortages, expand the tax base, and help offset demographic decline. However, rapid population growth can also strain housing, schools, and public services, especially when infrastructure fails to keep pace.
Policies governing work permits, housing, language training, and recognition of foreign qualifications help determine how successfully newcomers integrate. These challenges are particularly relevant as some countries also experience heightened emigration among their native-born populations.
Ultimately, Europe’s migration story is not simply about attracting more people, but about how effectively countries accommodate and integrate them.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
To explore migration beyond Europe, see The Top 15 Sources of U.S. Immigrants on Voronoi, which highlights the countries shaping America’s immigrant population.
-
Economy3 weeks ago
Ranked: Countries With the Most Government Debt Per Person
-
United States3 weeks ago
Mapped: The Best Employer in Every U.S. State
-
Europe1 week ago
Ranked: The World’s Best Cities for Quality of Life in 2026
-
Maps2 weeks ago
Mapped: Every State’s Signature Ice Cream Flavor
-
GDP2 weeks ago
Ranked: The World’s Most and Least Taxed Countries
-
Urbanization4 weeks ago
Ranked: The World’s Strongest City Economies by 2050
-
Economy2 weeks ago
Ranked: The World’s Richest Countries (2006-2026)
-
Cost of Living1 week ago
Ranked: The World’s Top 25 Cities in 2026