BERLIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Germany's population increased for the second consecutive year in 2012 with immigration being the main contribution factor, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said on Monday.
According to an estimate of the Wiesbaden-based office, at the beginning of the year 2012, 81.8 million people were living in Germany. By the end of the year, the population was about 82 million.
It was the second year of population growth in a row, after eight years of decline, said Destatis.
In 2012, some 660,000 to 680,000 were born in Germany, while 860,000 to 880,000 people died. In the previous year, the difference between deaths and births was 190,000. "Due to high migration gains, the birth of the deficit in 2011 and 2012 were more than just compensated," said the office.
Destatis said at least 340,000 people moved in from abroad than have moved out in 2012, following a migration gain in 2011 of 279,000.
Germany, the Europe's largest economy which is proud of its manufacturing industry and skilled workers, is facing challenges of low birth rate. Industry groups have been calling for efforts to attract more skilled workers from countries in Europe and other parts of the world.
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