Cities Overflowing, Rural Sites Dying Away: Share of Rural Population at Record-Low Since 1871

Germany’s cities have been attracting new inhabitants for 150 years. Our results show a very long-term trend in favor of urban areas – in eastern and western Germany. The population share living in rural areas is down to its lowest level since 1871, both in shrinking regions and in growth regions. Since the war, Germany’s population has never been more concentrated in individual cities than it is today.