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Population, Ethnicity, and Language in Germany:
Germany’s Population:2023
The population of Germany in 2023 was approximately 83.31m. This represents 15.4% of the total European Union (EU) population. It has the largest population of all of the EU countries, with the next being France at 67.02m.
Germany’s population is overwhelmingly German. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, as of July 1, 2023, 79.6% of the population of Germany was of German origin. This means that 20.4% of the population is foreign. Of the people who live in the country, 49% are male and 51% are female.
The most populous German states are Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The states with the highest population density are Berlin (the capital of Germany) and Hamburg – both often referred to as city-states – as well as Saarland. Berlin is Germany’s startup hub, and Hamburg is also considered a tech center.
Germany Population by Racial Make Up and Ethnicity
The ethnic makeup of Germany aligns with the reported nationality, with 91.5% being German.According to projections, Germany was expected to receive approximately 800,00 refugees seeking asylum, many of them Muslims from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
While less than 1% of the population, a successful integration of the refugee population could have a positive impact on the aging population and low birth rate. Germans tend to ‘trust somewhat’ or ‘not trust very much’ when it comes to people from other nationalities. Much smaller groups either ‘trust completely’ or ‘do not trust at all’. This general outlook is similar to that of people in the US, with the US tending a bit toward lower trust. This indicates that you will have to work to gain trust with the Germans when entering their market as a foreigner. They are unlikely to immediately embrace you and your business.
According to a 2022 survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung, 32% of Germans felt there was “little” or “no” tension between different ethnic groups, while 44% perceived “some” tension, and 24% felt “strong” or “very strong” tension.
When responses were separated out by age group:
- 18-29 year old Germans had the lowest percentage feeling little or no tension (28%) and the highest value for ‘some tension’ (47%)
- 30-49 year old Germans and 50-64 year old Germans exhibit similar perceptions, with around 34-35% feeling little or no tension and 41-45% perceiving some tension. This suggests a possible stabilization of views during these life stages.
- 65+ has the highest percentage feeling little to no tension (42%)
Germany’s population is a tapestry woven from many cultural threads. While there isn’t an official way to classify people by race in Germany, understanding the ethnicities that make up the country can be helpful for businesses thinking about expanding there.
Germany’s ethnic makeup is a result of centuries of migration and cultural exchange. The largest ethnic group is German, but there are also significant populations of Turkish, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Italian origin, to name a few. Understanding this ethnic diversity is an important early step in developing a successful business strategy for Germany.
Germany’s Evolving Demographics
Predominantly White: Germany’s population is mostly white, with estimates ranging from 86.3% to 93.2%, according to various sources]. This includes ethnic Germans and immigrants with origins in European countries such as Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Greece, and the former Yugoslavia.
It’s important to note that the concept of race is a social construct, and ethnic classifications can be fluid. Many Germans have mixed ancestry, and the country’s definition of ethnicity may differ from other countries.
According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, as of December 31, 2022, there were 20.2 million people in Germany with a history of immigration, which equates to 24.3% of the total population Statistisches Bundesamt (Federal Statistical Office of Germany). This definition includes both foreign-born persons and German-born persons with at least one parent who immigrated to Germany. This migrant population is particularly concentrated in major cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
The influx of immigrants has helped to address Germany’s aging population and labor shortages in certain sectors. The German government has also implemented policies to encourage integration and skilled immigration, recognizing the valuable contributions that immigrants can make to the country’s social and economic fabric.
Understanding Germany’s Evolving Demographics Allows Businesses to:
- Develop Targeted Marketing Strategies: By understanding the cultural backgrounds and preferences of your target audience, you can tailor your marketing messages and channels to resonate more effectively.
- Build a Diverse Workforce: A diverse workforce can bring a wider range of perspectives and experiences to your company, fostering innovation and creativity.
- Promote Inclusivity: Demonstrating cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in your branding and business practices can help you build trust with a broader customer base and workforce.
The German multinational skincare brand, Nivea, is a prime example of a company that has achieved global success by embracing diversity and tailoring its marketing to resonate with multicultural audiences. Nivea’s campaigns feature models and messaging that reflect the diversity of their customers around the world, including in Germany. This commitment to inclusivity has helped Nivea to build strong brand loyalty and market share in Germany.
Sure, race is a starting point, but to truly understand your German customers, dig a bit deeper. Germany is a nation rich in culture, with people from many backgrounds and beliefs. Focusing on understanding the values and customs of your target audience is key to unlocking success in the German market.
Languages Spoken in Germany
The official language of Germany is German. Danish, North and Sater Frisian, Upper and Lower Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Nearly two thirds of the German population (64%) speak English according to a 2021 Statista survey, though according to a 2021 survey by Eurostat, only 17.6% of German adults said they could do so proficiently. This could be influenced somewhat by the German discomfort around appearing inexpert or proficient in something. Oftentimes, Germans’ English is quite good.
Like students from many European countries, students in Germany do study foreign languages. According to Statista in 2023, around 12.31 million people living in Germany had very good English language skills, based on their own estimation. In 2019, roughly 36.39 million people in Germany had poor or no knowledge of English. .
This could be influenced somewhat by the German discomfort around appearing inexpert or proficient in something. Oftentimes, Germans’ English is quite good.
In Germany, while you can generally conduct at least initial B2B business in English, for B2C you will need to use German.
The World Values Survey provided a number of options to Germans when asked which of the groups they would not like to have as neighbors. They were asked to choose any option that applied to them. One option was ‘someone who speaks a different language living next door’, and almost 90% did not mention this as a concern of theirs. Interesting, when compared to the general trust levels for foreigners. That, of course, is equating speaking another language with being foreign, but with more than 95% of Germans speaking German and greater than 90% identifying as German and native to Germany, there is a correlation.
Globig Insights – Languages Spoken in Germany
Germans are heavily ethnically German and German speakers. While there are other races and spoken languages within Germany, there is still some level of tension – like in most of the world. With you as a foreigner, it’s important that you build trust and credibility, and plan on showing that you are dedicated to the market. As a tip , in Germany, while you can generally conduct at least initial B2B business in English, for B2C you will need to use German.
References
- World Bank statistics on the percentage of the population 65 and older
- United Nations World Population Prospects, 2022
- German age distribution from Statistisches Bundesamt
- Pew Research Center research on global attitudes toward aging
- Germany Federal Ministry of the Interior
- European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
- Eurostat (2021 Adult Learning Statistics)
- Statista – English Proficiency in European Countries 2019
- World Values Survey (Wave 8)
- Federal Statistical Office of Germany
- OECD interactive education attainment data page
- OECD Education at a Glance 2023
- World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023
- 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom by the U.S. Department of State