Momentum slows down

Population growth in the Ländle declines slightly

The Rhine Valley currently accounts for two thirds of the growth.

(Bild: Stiplovsek Dietmar)

As of March 31, 2024, 410,661 people were registered as main residents in Vorarlberg. This is only 2750 main residences (0.7 percent) more than a year ago. The rate of growth has therefore slowed considerably, according to the regional statistics office.

Population growth in Vorarlberg is slightly down on the previous year, with a decrease of 1332 people (-32.6 percent) as at the reporting date compared to March 31, 2023. In addition to the birth balance (balance of births minus deaths), the population trend is influenced by the migration balance (balance of immigration minus emigration).

In the past twelve months, population growth is attributable to a provisional positive birth balance with an increase of 462 people and the calculated migration balance with an increase of 2,288 people. At 83 percent, the migration balance therefore contributes significantly more to the rising population trend than the birth surplus at just under 17 percent.

Popular as a place to live: Dornbirn is growing and growing and now has 52,038 residents with Dornbirn as their main place of residence.

(Bild: Heinrich Salzmann)

In terms of growth, the Rhine Valley, where 2081 more people were registered, currently accounts for over two thirds of the increase. An additional plus 197 (+0.3 percent) have settled in Walgau, while a further plus 172 (+0.6 percent) have been added in Bregenzerwald.

157 nations represented
85,055 foreigners from over 157 different nations live in Vorarlberg. Their share of the resident population is 20.7 percent and has risen by 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous year. The largest foreign population group is made up of 20,070 German nationals.

The national population has increased by 33,597 citizens (+8.9 percent) over the past ten years. Significantly higher growth rates of over ten percent and absolute increases of over 1000 main residences can be found in Dornbirn (+4927 people; +10.5 percent), Feldkirch (+4787 people; +15.1 percent), Lustenau (+2597 people; +12.0 percent), Hohenems (+1641 people; +10.5 percent) and Bludenz (+1207 people; +8.7 percent).

Sonntag (-57 people), Schwarzach (-45 people) and St. Anton im Montafon (-30 people) have recorded the largest declines in the last ten years.