Record Number of Voters in Germany Have Migration Backgrounds Ahead of 2025 Election

The share of eligible voters with migration backgrounds has risen to 12%, reflecting demographic shifts and recent policy changes on naturalization.

As of 2023, 12% of eligible voters in Germany have migration backgrounds, up from 9% in 2013, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Approximately 17.1 million adults in Germany have migration backgrounds, with 7.1 million of them eligible to vote in federal elections.
The definition of 'migration background' includes individuals or both their parents who immigrated to Germany after 1950.
Recent policy changes under the former coalition government reduced the naturalization period from eight to five years, increasing the number of naturalized citizens eligible to vote.
The upcoming February 2025 federal election will see the highest number of voters with migration backgrounds in Germany's history, reflecting ongoing demographic and political shifts.