Ranking German States by the Share of Migrants and Residents with a Migration Background in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
With Germany’s ongoing economic and social development, the proportion of residents with a migration background (Migrationshintergrund) – including migrants and Germans of foreign origin – has been increasing across many federal states. This demographic diversity influences the make-up of society, the labour market and the cultural landscape. In this comprehensive article, we present an approximate ranking of the German federal states by the share of migrants and people with a migration background as of around 2025. The figures are based on up-to-date studies and statistics collected by the Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt) and other regional agencies. We also indicate each state’s estimated share in the total number of foreigners and people with a migration background in Germany, and discuss some of the reasons behind this distribution.
Note: The term migration background (Migrationshintergrund) includes non-German nationals born abroad, naturalised Germans, and children of immigrants who were born in Germany but whose family origins lie in other countries. The percentages for this group may differ from the share of foreigners (people without German citizenship). Therefore, we provide approximate estimates that combine both indicators where necessary.
Share of people with a migration background: about 35–36 %
Why Berlin ranks first:
Berlin is Germany’s political and cultural capital, making it a major magnet for newcomers seeking work or study opportunities.
Several districts – such as Neukölln and Kreuzberg – are well known for their pronounced ethnic and cultural diversity.
Share of all foreigners/people with a migration background in Germany:
Berlin is estimated to account for roughly 10 % of the total number of people with a migration background in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: around 33–35 %
Reasons:
Hamburg hosts an international seaport, one of the largest in Europe, which encourages the inflow of workers and specialists from around the world.
A strong global media and advertising sector attracts professionals from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Share of the total number of foreigners in Germany:
Hamburg’s share is estimated at around 7–8 % of all foreign residents and people with a migration background.
Share of people with a migration background: approximately 30–32 %
Reasons for the high share:
As a small city-state, families with a migration background make up a large proportion of the overall population.
The economy is heavily based on ports and trade, which promotes the recruitment of workers from many countries.
Share of the total number of foreigners in Germany:
Because of its small population, Bremen accounts for only about 2–3 % of all foreigners in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: roughly 30 %
Reasons:
Frankfurt is an international financial hub attracting banking and finance professionals from all over the world.
The large services sector and numerous European headquarters of global companies draw in a highly educated and diverse workforce.
Share of all foreigners/people with a migration background:
Hesse accounts for around 8 % of all foreigners and residents with a migration background in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: about 28–30 %
Reasons:
Industrial powerhouses such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and hundreds of technology companies need a diverse labour force.
World-class universities and research institutions (Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Freiburg, etc.) attract international students and researchers.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Baden-Württemberg is estimated to account for about 10–11 % of all people with a migration background in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: about 26–28 %
Reasons:
As Germany’s most populous state, with the Ruhr area and major cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia attracts large numbers of migrants.
Its broad industrial and services base generates employment in many different sectors.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Because of its large population, the state’s share may exceed 14–15 % of all migrants and newcomers in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: around 25–27 %
Reasons:
Major cities such as Munich and Nuremberg attract specialists in technology, automotive engineering and software.
Tourism in the Alps and a strong hospitality sector create many jobs suitable for foreign workers.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Bavaria is home to an estimated 12–13 % of all residents with a migration background in Germany, which reflects its large overall population.
Share of people with a migration background: around 18–20 %
Reasons:
Historically, a number of US military bases have contributed to a more international population structure.
Agriculture, wine production and mid-European industries and services attract workers from Eastern Europe, Turkey and other regions.
Share of all foreigners in Germany:
Rhineland-Palatinate accounts for roughly 4–5 % of all foreigners in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: about 18–20 %
Reasons:
Industrial cities such as Hanover and Wolfsburg (home to Volkswagen) and related supply chains generate substantial demand for labour.
Agriculture and the food industry rely on seasonal workers.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Lower Saxony is responsible for around 7–8 % of all residents with a migration background in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: approximately 14–16 %
Reasons:
Its coastal location and proximity to Denmark attract regional and European workers.
A strong tourism sector along the North Sea and Baltic Sea creates additional seasonal employment.
Share of all foreigners in Germany:
Roughly 3 % of all foreigners in Germany live in Schleswig-Holstein.
Share of people with a migration background: about 10–12 %
Reasons:
The proximity to Berlin encourages some newcomers to move to surrounding areas where housing is often more affordable.
Growing sectors such as agriculture and renewable energy increase the demand for skilled workers.
Share of all people with a migration background:
Due to its relatively small population and large rural areas, Brandenburg accounts for only about 2–3 % of the total.
Share of people with a migration background: roughly 8–10 %
Reasons:
The expansion of the automotive and electronics industries in Leipzig and Dresden attracts a certain number of migrants.
Overall, however, the share remains modest compared with many western and southern states.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Around 2–3 %.
Share of people with a migration background: about 7–9 %
Reasons:
The state’s rural character and focus on coastal tourism tend to limit large-scale immigration.
Many young locals move to other German regions with bigger cities and more job opportunities.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Only around 1–2 %.
Share of people with a migration background: about 7–8 %
Reasons:
Since German reunification, industrial development – especially in the chemical sector – has been limited.
Because there are few large economic centres, the inflow of migrants remains comparatively low.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Around 1–2 % of all migrants and residents with a migration background in Germany.
Share of people with a migration background: about 6–8 %
Reasons:
Thuringia relies on mid-sized industries and smaller cities such as Erfurt and Jena, which limits the influx of large migrant communities.
There has been noticeable growth in technology-related sectors, but it still does not match the pull of major metropolitan areas.
Share of all people with a migration background:
Roughly 1–2 %.
Share of people with a migration background: around 14–16 % (depending on statistics)
Although the percentage itself is relatively high, Saarland ranks last in absolute terms because its total population is very small.
Reasons:
Its border location with France fosters cultural and linguistic diversity.
Traditional industries such as coal and steel have partly shifted toward modern service sectors.
Share of the total number of people with a migration background:
Less than 2 %, given the low overall population.
Total share of foreigners and people with a migration background in Germany:
By around 2025, they are estimated to make up roughly 27–28 % of the overall population. In other words, around one third of the population has some form of migration background.
Foreign nationals (those without German citizenship) account for about 12–13 %, while the remainder consists of naturalised Germans and children of immigrants born in Germany.
Uneven distribution:
Large cities as well as highly industrialised and service-oriented states attract the majority of migrants, as they offer more employment and educational opportunities.
Eastern and more rural states show lower percentages, reflecting the smaller number of economic centres and major urban hubs compared with western and southern Germany.
It becomes clear that Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen top the list of German states with the highest shares of migrants and residents with a migration background, followed by Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. These figures reflect the economic and historical role of these regions as magnets for industry, trade and academia.
By contrast, eastern states such as Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania still record lower shares, although modest improvements have been seen in recent years thanks to employment and investment initiatives.
In short, Germany’s “population map” reveals a diverse pattern balancing highly developed industrial and service regions with large metropolitan areas on the one hand, and more rural and eastern states on the other. This diversity is likely to continue growing in the coming years, driven by demand for skilled labour and the attractiveness of Germany’s major cities for migrants from around the world.
* The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and consultation of multiple sources. However, some figures may rely on estimates or changing statistics, and errors or uncertainties cannot be completely ruled out. Accordingly, the information in this article should be regarded only as an initial, non-binding reference. For official and fully up-to-date data, readers should always consult the competent authorities and statistical offices.
