The number of refugees in Germany has fallen for the first time since 2011!

The number of refugees in Germany has fallen for the first time since 2011!

There is a remarkable trend to be observed in Germany: the number of refugees living in Germany has fallen slightly for the first time since 2011. According to information from Deutschlandfunk, almost 3.5 million refugees were living in the country at the end of June 2025, which means a decrease of around 50,000 people compared to the end of last year. What is particularly striking is that Ukrainian refugees, who represent a large group due to the Russian war of aggression, are included in these statistics. These people do not have to go through an asylum procedure in the EU, which has made their arrival in this country easier.

Interestingly, the current number of 3.48 million refugees shows a significant increase compared to previous years, as the total population of refugees living in Germany was already at 3.48 million at the beginning of 2024 - a new high. Around 1 million of these refugees come from Ukraine, which gives people a special exemption. Refugees now make up around four percent of Germany's entire population, which shows that integration and social support are more important than ever.

Review and current developments

Another aspect that should not go unmentioned is the continuous increase in those seeking protection. When looking at the EU as a whole, one must take into account that 117.3 million people were on the run worldwide in 2023. Of these, 37.4 million were refugees who were under the protection of the UNHCR. The causes for these refugee movements are diverse: wars, human rights violations and persecution based on political or social identity are just a few examples. Typically, these people seek refuge in neighboring states, with most seekers living in low- and middle-income states.

However, it must also be noted that the number of people in Germany who are obliged to leave the country is declining. In mid-2024, 226,882 people required to leave the country were registered, which means a decrease of 15,760 compared to the end of 2023. This development is viewed critically by politicians such as Clara Bünger from the Left, as they perceive the migration debate in Germany to be inadequate.

Asylum applications and protection status

Another bar in this context are asylum applications. Last year, people from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey in particular made the most initial applications in the EU. Germany plays a leading role in these statistics, with 3,900 initial applications per 1 million inhabitants – well above the EU average. The high need for protection shows that the challenges in migration policy still exist.

The recognition rate for asylum applications in Germany is 52%, which, despite the positive developments, is not exactly high compared to other EU states, such as Estonia or the Netherlands, where the recognition rates are over 70%. In contrast, countries such as Spain and Romania performed quite poorly, with rates of 12% and 16%.

Overall, it can be said that the refugee situation in Germany is constantly changing. It will be exciting to see how the numbers and the public discussion around this important topic will develop.

Deutschlandfunk reports that the number of refugees has fallen for the first time, while daily news the current maximum number of 3.48 million refugees is discussed. Provides further relevant information Destatis, which provide an overview of asylum statistics in the EU.