For the first time, the Federal Statistical Office included questions concerning immigration in the population census. It found that around seven million foreigners live in Germany. If one adds those who became citizens only recently, one finds that around 15 million people, or one fifth of Germany’s population, has an immigrant background. Also interesting is the 2005 Report on Immigration, recently adopted by the Cabinet, which shows that the rate of immigration has been falling. At the same time, Wolfgang Sch_uble, the Minister of the Interior, argues that the percieved effect of immigration may be far beyond the actual level.
