BRANDENBURG - Population
In 2002 there were 2.58 million people living in Brandenburg. Population numbers have hovered around this level since 1990. Since 1990 there have been more deaths than births in the Land. Up until 2000, the negative balance from natural population movements was offset by net immigration, but migration losses were recorded in 2001 and 2002. For years, the number of Brandenburgers turning their back on their native region to move to the old Länder has been higher than the number of those moving in the opposite direction. Young people in particular moved to Bayern, Baden-Württemberg and Nordrhein-Westfalen. On the other hand, the region of Brandenburg has recorded significant net immigration from the Federal capital of Berlin, which is surrounded by Brandenburg.
Since 1991, the age structure in Brandenburg has changed appreciably. Whereas in 1991, one in five of the population (20%) was under 15 years old, at the end of 2002 this figure was one in eight (or 12%). In 1991, 12% of the population was aged 65 and over. Eleven years later, the figure was 17%. These contrasting trends are also reflected in the average age. Whilst the average male Brandenburger in 1991 was almost 35.5 years old (and the average female slightly over 39.5), the average age in 2002 was close to 40.5 (44 for women).
The age pyramid displays significant indentations for births during the years of the Second World War.
The birth rate has been below the Federal average since 1990 and stood at 6.8 live births per 1 000 inhabitants in 2002. Infant mortality that same year was one of the lowest in Germany at 4.3 per 1 000 live births.
Since 1991, life expectancy has risen for both sexes, and now stands at 74 for men and 81 for women.
In 2002, 66 800 foreign citizens lived in Brandenburg - 2.6% of the population. The majority of them came from Poland, Vietnam, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
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