Population of Lower Saxony: Where the State Is Growing and Where It Is Shrinking

Lower Saxony’s population stood at almost exactly 8 million at the end of 2025, but the statewide figure concealed sharply different regional trends. The state lost about 4,000 residents during the year, following a similar decline in 2024.

Northeim recorded the largest fall, losing 931 people, or 0.7% of its population. Wilhelmshaven and Goslar county each declined by about 0.6%, while Salzgitter and Helmstedt county fell by roughly 0.5%.

Göttingen county had the strongest growth, at 0.9%. Cloppenburg county rose by 0.5%, and the city of Oldenburg by 0.3%. Population declined in 532 of Lower Saxony’s 941 municipalities and inhabited unincorporated districts. Another 386 recorded growth, while 23 remained unchanged.

The population also continued to age. The average age reached a record 45 years, compared with about 40 in 1990. Women were on average 2.6 years older than men. Cloppenburg had the youngest population, with an average age of 41.8, while Lüchow-Dannenberg had the oldest at 49.2.

The number of residents without German citizenship rose 0.7% to about 940,000, taking their share to a record 11.7%. Their proportion was highest in Hanover and Salzgitter, at 21.4% and 21.3%, respectively, and lowest in Friesland and Wittmund counties, at 6.0% and 6.5%. The figures use population estimates based on the 2022 census and account for births, deaths, migration and subsequent official corrections.