Press release No. 261 of 1 August 2017
WIESBADEN – In 2016, the population with a migrant background reached a new record high for the fifth time in a row. Based on results of the microcensus, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reports that roughly 18.6 million people in Germany had a migrant background in 2016. This was a year-on-year rise of 8.5%, which was the highest increase since recording began in 2005. The exceptional increase was mainly attributable to the high level of immigration of foreigners, including people seeking refuge, in 2015 and 2016.