Hesse in transition: Almost every third person has an immigration background!

Hesse in transition: Almost every third person has an immigration background!

A breath of fresh air is blowing through Hesse: The latest data from the State Statistical Office show that immigration is not only a relevant topic, but also has a lasting impact on the demographic structure of the state. In 2024, almost a third of the Hessian population, exactly 32.7 percent, had an immigration history. This corresponds to approximately 2.04 million people, of whom 1.5 million immigrated themselves, while the remaining approximately 540,000 are counted as descendants of immigrant parents. The proportion has increased by 1.3 percentage points compared to the previous year, which illustrates the dynamic development of Hessian society, as faz.net reports.

This trend is particularly pronounced in urban centers. In Frankfurt am Main, for example, almost half of the population (49.8%) has a history of immigration. The proportions in Wiesbaden (43.5%), Darmstadt and Offenbach are also significantly higher than the Hesse average. In contrast, the eastern Hesse districts such as Fulda, Hersfeld-Rotenburg and the Schwalm-Eder district are at the bottom with only 23.8 percent, as fr.de notes.

Immigrant population rejuvenates Hesse

A notable aspect of migration to Hesse is the rejuvenation of the population. According to the statistics, in 2022, more than half (50.7%) of the total population was under 45 years old, while this proportion was as high as 61.9% for people with an immigrant background. The average age of the total population is 43.4 years; For immigrants, however, it is only 38.4 years old. These are clear indications that immigration in recent decades is not only causing demographic change, but is also ensuring further training and rejuvenation of the Hessian social structure.

The main reasons that motivate people to move to Hesse have remained diverse in recent years. Around 28.1 percent of immigrants came because of flight, asylum and international protection, while 25.1 percent had family reunification as their focus. Employment also plays a significant role at 24.4 percent, followed by around 7.5 percent of those who came to Hesse to study or train.

Demographic impacts and future challenges

The data is based on the microcensus, which has surveyed one percent of the Hessian population annually since 1957 about working and living conditions. These surveys are not only important for political decisions, they also provide valuable information on the social and economic situation in the country. However, the microcensus only records households in private households, so those seeking protection in shared accommodation are not included, which could potentially distort the actual figures.

Overall, it can be said that immigration is a central issue for Hessian society. The emerging demographic change not only creates challenges, but also offers opportunities for a colorful and diverse future for Hesse.