Saxony's population declines after two years of growth

After two years of growth, the population in Saxony fell again slightly last year. At the end of December, there were around 4.04 million people living in the Free State, according to the State Statistical Office in Kamenz. This was 12,267 people or 0.3 percent fewer than a year earlier. The main reason for the decline was a significant birth deficit - the highest since 1996.

According to the figures, 24,697 children were born alive last year, while 56,968 people died. This results in a birth deficit of 32,271 people. Although more people moved to Saxony than moved away, the migration gain only partially compensated for the decline. Overall, there was an increase of 20,636 people, 87 percent of which were immigrants from abroad.

Population development varied from region to region. Only the three independent cities of Leipzig (up 0.6 percent), Dresden (up 0.3 percent) and Chemnitz (up 0.2 percent) recorded increases. The number of inhabitants fell in all districts - most sharply in the Erzgebirgskreis (minus 1.2 percent) and in the district of Zwickau (minus 1.0 percent).