Cosmopolitan population and cultural diversity

Nearly half of Luxembourg's population is foreign, with strong demographic growth due to constant immigration in search of employment.

Population of Luxembourg on January 1, 2024

Strong growth in Luxembourg's population

Although Luxembourg is one of the smallest and least populated countries in Europe, it has a particularly high annual population growth rate.

On January 1, 2025, Luxembourg had a population of 681,973. This represents an increase of only 1.5% in one year, the lowest rate in a decade. In 1961, Luxembourg had a population of 314,900, meaning that the population has doubled in the space of 60 years.

It should be noted that studies by STATEC, the National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, predict a population of over 1 million people in 2060 in a territory of just 2,586 km2!

A young, male foreign population

Today, 80% of Luxembourg's population growth is due to immigration. The proportion of foreigners living in Luxembourg stood at 47.3% on January 1, 2024. In 1961, the proportion of foreigners was only 13.2%.

Luxembourg attracts a young, male foreign population in search of professional opportunities. The foreign population of Luxembourg is now younger on average than the native Luxembourgish population.

Men represent more than 50% of the population, with an average age of 39, compared to 40.4 for women.

Reasons for the influx of people to Luxembourg

The quality of life in Luxembourg

Expatriates regularly rank Luxembourg among the top 10 countries in which to live. Luxembourg enjoys an excellent quality of life. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world.

Life expectancy in Luxembourg is 81 years for men and 85 years for women. Luxembourg is one of the few countries to have increased its life expectancy in recent years, despite the Covid health crisis. It must be said that the Luxembourg healthcare system is very efficient.

Social and family policy is also highly valued. Social benefits are substantial.

To gain a better understanding of the country's economic and cultural dynamics, as well as to learn about the essential aspects of settling in this magnificent territory, discover how living and integrating in Luxembourg can transform your experience of residence.

Young professionals attracted by job prospects

One-fifth ofLuxembourg's population lives in the capital, Luxembourg City. It is the largest economic hub.

The Luxembourg job market is dynamic. Young professionals find career opportunities and attractive income prospects in Luxembourg. The Grand Duchy continues to attract a working population in search of employment.

On the other hand, real estate prices are high, reaching levels comparable to those in London and Paris in certain neighborhoods. It is becoming difficult to find housing, so getting help to find a place to live is a good idea.

See where immigrants settle when they arrive in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg's economic appeal to migrants

A history of immigration

Luxembourg has long been a welcoming place for immigrants looking for work.

As early as the 19th century, many Italians immigrated to southern Luxembourg to work in the iron mines. This trend continued until the mid-1960s.

Portuguese immigrants then arrived in Luxembourg in several waves, corresponding to crises in Portugal: in the late 1960s, 1975-1982, and 2003-2009. Today, they represent the largest foreign community in Luxembourg.

From 2014 onwards, French immigration took over. The French represented the largest migrant population in 2019 and 2020.

In 2021, the Portuguese were once again the largest community to settle in Luxembourg, with 3,885 new arrivals. In the same year, the French came in second place, with 3,590 immigrants.

Many Brazilians also took advantage of changes in the laws on obtaining Luxembourgish nationality.

Today, it seems fairly easy to settle and integrate in Luxembourg.

Recent migration flows in Luxembourg

Positive migration flows

In 2022, Ukrainians represent the largest incoming migration flow, with more than 4,200 new arrivals on Luxembourg soil. There were 5,338 Ukrainian nationals as of January 1, 2023, due to the war waged by Russia on Ukrainian territory since February 2022.

Italians represent the second largest migratory flow in 2022, with more than 900 new arrivals.

Syrians, also refugees on Luxembourg soil, represent the third largest migratory flow with more than 800 new residents.

Are you the spouse of an expatriate? You may find this article interesting.

Negative migration flows

The year 2022 marks a reversal in migration trends, which was confirmed in 2023. The net migration rate is now negative. More and more Luxembourgers are leaving the country: more than 3,100 Luxembourgers left the country in 2023, compared to only 1,820 who returned. The Portuguese are the second largest community to leave the country, followed by the French.

It must be said that the housing crisis and soaring property prices are pushing low-income earners to leave Luxembourg and settle in the Greater Region.

The challenges of population growth in Luxembourg. Read our article on the subject.

A multicultural Luxembourg society

One of the major characteristics of Luxembourg's population is its high proportion of foreigners. More than 47% of the population is foreign. People who have acquired Luxembourgish nationality are counted as part of the Luxembourgish population.

Foreign communities in Luxembourg

Today, more than 170 different nationalities coexist in Luxembourg, mainly of European origin.

The most represented foreign communities in Luxembourg

The three largest foreign communities in Luxembourg are:

• The Portuguese are the largest foreign community, accounting for 13.5% of the Luxembourgish population and 90,915 nationals
• The French community is the second largest foreign community with a population of 49,234, or 7.3% of the Grand Duchy's population.
• The Italian community, with 3.7% of the population, or 25,116 people
• The Belgian community has more than 18,889 residents.
• The German community with 12,480 people
• the Spanish community (9,540 residents)
• the Romanian community (6,828 residents)
• the Ukrainian community (5,357 residents)
• the Polish community (5,217 residents)
• the Indian community with 5,091 residents
• the Chinese community with 4,545 residents
• the Greek community with 4,472 residents
• the Dutch community (3,934 residents)
• the British community (3,739 residents, down from 5,766 in 2020, representing a 35% decline since Brexit)

The media in Luxembourg reflect this cultural diversity.

Other foreign communities present in Luxembourg (2023 figures)

Communities from the Baltic and Scandinavian countries represent nearly 7,200 people in Luxembourg.

Asian communities represent 23,678 people in Luxembourg, or 3.5% of the population, Africans 17,507 people (2.6% of the population), Americans 8,565 people, including nearly 3,000 North Americans, and Australians and Oceanic people 271 people.

The proportion of Luxembourgers remains stable at around 53%.

In this multicultural environment, the subject of the right to nationality based on jus soli in Luxembourg raises many questions and interests.

Languages spoken in Luxembourg

Upon arrival in Luxembourg, one is struck by the diversity of languages spoken in public spaces. This is due to the large number of foreigners and, above all, the ability of Luxembourgers to speak several languages.

In 2018, the Ministry of Education reported that 98% of the population speaks French. English is spoken by 80%. German and Luxembourgish are used by 78% and 77% of the population, respectively.

There are three official languages in Luxembourg:

• Children speak Luxembourgish from the moment they start school. Luxembourgish has been the national language since 1984. It is used as the language of everyday communication. Knowledge of Luxembourgish is mandatory for obtaining Luxembourgish nationality through naturalization.
  Why not learn some Luxembourgish yourself?
• Children learn German when they start primary school. German is the language of literacy and reading. It is also traditionally the language of newspapers.
• Children learn French from the second year of primary school, in addition to German. French is now introduced in nurseries and daycare centers, with a focus on oral learning. Since the start of the 2022 school year, pilot schools in southern Luxembourg have been testing literacy in French. The system will be extended for the coming school years.

The French TV channel TV5 Monde's program"Destination francophonie au Luxembourg" shows how languages are taught in Luxembourg's elementary schools.

In addition, as soon as they enter the Luxembourg school system, foreign children receive language support to facilitate their integration.

Want to learn the languages spoken in Luxembourg? There is a wide range of language courses available.

Don't want to or can't commit to learning a new language? Nevertheless, knowing a few key words and phrases in Luxembourgish will help you integrate.

A predominantly Christian population in Luxembourg

According to the latest studies on the subject, Christians represent 44% of the total population of Luxembourg. More than 90% of them are Catholic.

The Muslim religion has been growing in recent years. Nearly 3% of the Luxembourgish population practices Islam. These people are mainly from the former Yugoslavia.

For more than 75% of the population, religion is not important in Luxembourg.

Would you like to learn more about religions in Luxembourg? Visit the page on religions and places of worship in Luxembourg.

A workforce boosted by Europe

A population looking for work in Luxembourg

The Luxembourg labor market is very active. In addition to the nearly 250,000 Luxembourg resident workers, more than 215,000 workers are cross-border commuters. Every day, they cross the French, Belgian, and German borders of the Greater Region to come and work in Luxembourg.

More and more international companies are setting up in Luxembourg. This is particularly true of Amazon, Ferrero, BGL BNPParibas, major international audit firms, etc. These large multinationals attract senior executives from all continents. See who the biggest employers in Luxembourg are.

Many European civil servants in Luxembourg

The numerous European institutions present in Luxembourg also explain this constant flow of population, as European civil servants move around.

Today, more than 13,000 European civil servants are based in Luxembourg. They make up nearly 5% of the resident working population. 3,700 people work for the European Commission.

It is also known that many European civil servants are now reluctant to come to Luxembourg. Despite its undeniable quality of life, Luxembourg unfortunately has high rents and traffic problems.

Would you like more information about the job market in Luxembourg? Visit our page.