Excluding Berlin, the five states that made up the former East Germany have lost 16% of their residents since the communist state dissolved following the fall of the Berlin Wall, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office.

In contrast, states in the former West Germany have seen their population rise by an average of 10% since 1990. The southern powerhouse of Bavaria leads the way, with a rise of 16%, followed by neighbouring Baden-Württemberg on 14%.

Following reunification, hundreds of thousands of residents migrated to western areas to seek job opportunities amid the collapse and privatization of the former East German economy.

In total, 1.2 million more people are estimated to have joined the exodus from eastern to western regions than moved in the opposite direction since reunification, the Wiesbaden-based agency said.

The data on population shifts excludes Berlin, which has seen a 7% increase in residents since 1990. The modern-day capital was split between West Germany and East Germany during the Cold War, but now forms one of the reunified country’s 16 states.

Overall, the population of Germany has risen just 5% since 1990, from 79.8 million to 83.6 million at the end of 2024.

The 35th anniversary of reunification is to be marked on October 3, celebrated as German Unity Day.