In Luxembourg, nearly half the population is not a native citizen

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A nation defined by its borders is increasingly shaped by those who crossed them. In Luxembourg, the demographic landscape has shifted so radically that immigrants now outnumber native-born citizens in many respects, creating a complex tapestry of linguistic and cultural overlap.

As of January 1, 2026, Luxembourg's population reached 690,959. A striking demographic shift is evident in its nationality breakdown: only 53.4% of the residents are Luxembourgers, while 46.6% hold foreign nationalities. This represents a massive increase from 1961, when the foreign population stood at just 13.2%. The current immigrant population exceeds 322,050 people, with over 80% of these residents being nationals of European Union countries.

The composition of this community is diverse but concentrated. The Portuguese community remains the largest group among foreigners, making up about 27% of that demographic. Other significant groups include approximately 25,000 Italians and roughly 80,000 individuals from neighboring France, Belgium, and Germany. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in residents from Eastern Europe—specifically the former Yugoslavia—and a dramatic spike in Ukrainian immigrants following the 2022 invasion, who accounted for nearly 1% of the total population by 2023.

These demographic shifts have profound impacts on the nation's future. Luxembourg saw 64% of its infants born to foreign mothers during 2020. Furthermore, immigrants and asylum seekers now account for nearly 50% of all births in the country. This evolution occurs within a unique linguistic framework where three languages—Luxembourgish, French, and German—are used in administration, though French remains the sole language of legislation.

Religion also defines the social fabric, despite legal restrictions on data collection. While the government forbids collecting religious data since 1979, it is estimated that over 90% of the population is baptized Catholic. The country maintains a diverse religious landscape including Protestant, Anglican, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu minorities.

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