Migratory fluctuations brought a total population growth of 9,446, the lowest growth seen in years Pexels

Migratory fluctuations brought a total population growth of 9,446, the lowest growth seen in years Pexels

Luxembourg statistics office Statec reported that 22,888 people arrived in the country in 2016, down 3.8% on the year before, and 13,442 left, up 6.3%.

These migratory fluctuations brought a total population growth of 9,446, the lowest growth seen in years, report author François Peltier wrote.

When contacted by Delano for further explanation, Peltier said there were no proven explanations for this phenomenon.

However, he speculated it may be linked to a restablisation of the European economy since the 2008 economic crisis.

“Following the economy crisis of 2008, we saw an explosion in migration…Now the European economy is stable, perhaps these people are returning to their countries of origin. Migration, meanwhile, is returning to levels seen before the crisis,” he said on 5 May.

Peltier also pointed out that the number of people seeking international protection in Luxembourg fell between 2015 and 2016, which could partly explain the trend.

Luxembourg continues to have a strong demographic growth, Peltier stressed.

Recent Eurostat forecasts suggested Luxembourg’s population will reach 1 million between 2061 and 2062, with 85% growth expected over the next 65 years.

On 1 January 2017, the population reached 590,667, with the proportion of foreigners rising to 48%.