Neukölln is shrinking: Why families are turning their backs on the district

Neukölln is shrinking: Why families are turning their backs on the district

In Neukölln, one of Berlin's most famous districts, a worrying trend is emerging: the population could shrink by 1.2 percent by 2040. This forecast comes from the Berlin Senate and has far-reaching consequences for the local community. While Berlin's total population is expected to grow to over four million, Neukölln is losing population, while other districts such as Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg are growing and are considered popular places to live for students and creative people.

The reasons for this decline are varied. A key reason is that more and more families are moving to quieter residential areas. This leads to a decline in the birth rate, which the Senate classifies as a “natural loss” as part of demographic change. The change is also reflected in the natural balance: while this was still positive two years ago, it is now negative. From 2028 onwards, an annual decline of over 500 people is expected, which cannot be offset by immigration.

Demographic challenges

Another difficult factor is the increase in deaths, which is also expected in the coming years. The average age in Neukölln is 41.9 years, which is below the city average of 42.8 years. Compared to Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, where the average age is only 38.9 years and there are no fears of losses, the demographic development in Neukölln is being monitored more closely.

The forecasts for population development show that Neukölln performs moderately compared to other districts such as Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf (minus 2.5 percent) and Steglitz-Zehlendorf (minus 2.9 percent). Nevertheless, demographic changes raise questions about future urban planning strategies.

National interest and context

Looking beyond Berlin shows general trends in urban areas, where many districts face similar challenges. In the USA, for example, the company Roto-Rooter is intensively addressing infrastructural challenges that affect urbanization, similar to those in Neukölln. They offer specialized commercial plumbing services, serving schools, colleges and community facilities, among others. The aim is to solve problems preventively and thus combat the decline in quality of life in urban areas.

In this context, the need to take proactive measures to address demographic challenges in cities is becoming increasingly clear. While Neukölln boasts creative vibrancy and urban flair for some, it also faces the reality of a potentially shrinking living space that could impact the quality of life of residents living there.

For Neukölln, it remains to be seen what measures will be implemented in the coming years to counteract the stagnating and declining population and ensure the quality of life of future generations. Current city action seems essential to maintaining the district's attractiveness and continuing to make it a place to live and live.