Number of commuters in Saxony-Anhalt slightly down - Saxony-Anhalt Sees Decline in Cross-Border Commuters Amid Economic Shifts
Around one in five workers in Saxony-Anhalt travels across state borders for employment. New figures from June 2025 show about 148,000 residents commuting out of the state—600 fewer than the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of people coming into Saxony-Anhalt for work has also dropped slightly.
The latest data reveals that most outbound commuters head to Saxony, Lower Saxony, and Thuringia. Skilled professionals dominate this group, particularly in manufacturing, retail, vehicle repairs, logistics, and construction. Economic factors play a major role, as higher wages in western German states and stronger job markets attract workers. Demographic shifts, such as an ageing workforce and young people leaving for better opportunities, have also contributed to the trend.
At the same time, fewer people are now commuting into Saxony-Anhalt. Roughly 75,700 workers from other federal states were employed there in June 2025, a small decline from earlier numbers. Most inbound commuters arrive from Saxony, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, with about 5,400 travelling from abroad. Markus Behrens, regional director of the Federal Employment Agency, linked the drop in both inbound and outbound commuting to slower job growth. The overall decline suggests shifting employment patterns in the region.
The number of cross-border commuters in Saxony-Anhalt has edged downward. With fewer workers travelling both into and out of the state, the changes reflect broader economic and demographic pressures. The data highlights ongoing shifts in regional employment dynamics.
