Berlin's population continues to grow. (Archive photo)
© dpa
Berlin will continue to grow in the coming years. According to official population forecasts, the city's population is expected to reach 4.006 million by 2040, as announced by the Senate Chancellery.
Compared to 2024, this corresponds to an increase of around 109,000 people (+2.8 percent). However, the trend varies greatly between the twelve districts. According to the forecast, the population will grow to varying degrees in eight districts, while a decline is expected in four districts.
"This means that Berlin is developing dynamically, but not everywhere at the same rate. This poses particular challenges for urban development policy," commented Christian Gaebler (SPD), Senator for Building and Housing, on the data. Planning must be tailored to the individual districts in order to cope with the effects of demographic change.
Treptow-Köpenick recorded the highest percentage increase at around 9.6 percent, followed by Lichtenberg at 8 percent. In absolute terms, Treptow-Köpenick and Pankow lead the way with an increase of around 28,000 inhabitants each, followed by Lichtenberg with 25,000. According to the forecast, the largest population decline is expected in Steglitz-Zehlendorf with 2.9 percent (around 9,000 fewer residents) and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf with a decrease of 2.5 percent (around 8,400 fewer residents).
The Berlin population forecast is calculated at regular intervals by the Senate Department for Urban Development, Construction, and Housing. It describes the expected overall development of Berlin's population and population structure for the coming years. It also provides detailed data for the individual districts, which is intended to serve as a guide for the planning and design of the growing city. This applies, for example, to schools and daycare centers, new housing construction, traffic planning, and energy and water supply.