Görlitz is shrinking and aging: But one group is still growing!

Görlitz is shrinking and aging: But one group is still growing!

In Görlitz, the current population statistics show a worrying trend: in June 2025, the city only had 57,370 inhabitants, which represents a decrease of 145 people compared to the previous year. The age structure is particularly striking: the number of children and young people aged 0 to 10 fell by 161 to 4,803. This raises the question of what the future holds for this traditional city.

Interestingly, however, a certain population group continues to grow. Those over 81 years of age recorded an increase of 97 to 6,145. Overall, over 20 percent of the population is older than 71 years, which shows a significantly older population share of 12,342 people. Loud Saxon The 169 births and 518 deaths registered in the first half of 2025 result in a minus of 349 people.

The demographic shift and its effects

The majority of deaths occurred in the city center (142) and in the districts of Rauschwalde (99) and Südstadt (87). In contrast, 70 births were celebrated in the city center, followed by 34 in the southern part of the city. This demographic shift could have a significant impact on the city's infrastructure and social services.

The decline in the Polish population in Görlitz is particularly notable. In June 2025, 5,092 Polish citizens still lived in the city, 38 fewer than the year before. In contrast, the number of Ukrainian citizens, especially refugees, rose by 169 to 1,849. This makes them the third largest group after the Germans and Poles. The Syrian community is also continuing to grow, the fourth largest group includes 726 people, followed by 216 Afghans, 150 Turks and 138 Russians.

The district development in Görlitz

17,731 people lived in the city center in June, an increase of 139 compared to the previous year. A positive trend can also be observed in the districts of Weinhübel (+30) and Kunnerwitz (+7). However, there are also downsides: the largest declines were recorded in the districts of Königshufen and Biesnitz, where 38 fewer people live each. In the last five years, Biesnitz has suffered a continuous decline from 4,000 to the current 3,715 inhabitants.

Görlitz, the largest city in Upper Lusatia, has a long and eventful history. The city, first mentioned in 1071, was an important trading center and is known for its well-preserved historical architecture. The Görlitz train station is not only important for national connections, but also provides international connections to Wrocław, Poland. This geographical location could be a key to future developments as the city seeks to address the challenge of an aging population.

It remains to be seen how Görlitz will respond to these demographic changes and what path the city will take in the coming years. It is all the more important that the city takes targeted measures to support young families and the integration of new citizens in order to increase its attractiveness.