Urbanization in the German Empire

Lore & Background

Between 1871 and 1910, the percentage of Germans living in communities with fewer than 2,000 people dropped from 64% to 40%, while those in cities of 100,000 or more rose from 5% to 21%. This urbanization was uneven: the north and west industrialized rapidly, while the south and east remained predominantly rural. For example, two-thirds of East Prussia's population still lived in small communities in 1910, compared to only one-fifth in the Rhineland and Westphalia.

The number of German cities with over 10,000 residents more than doubled from 271 to 576 between 1875 and 1910. Cities like Duisburg, Essen, and Kiel saw their populations increase by five times or more. Duisburg grew from approximately 30,000–31,000 to 229,438, Essen from 54,790 to 294,653, and Kiel from 37,246 to 211,627.

Industrial development concentrated in the Ruhr, Saxony, and Silesia. By 1910, about 40–45% of the Rhineland's population lived in communities of 20,000 or more, compared to 47% in Brandenburg and 40% in Westphalia.

Reader's Guide

Urbanization in the German Empire between 1871 and 1910 fundamentally transformed the country's demographic and economic landscape. The movement of millions from rural areas to industrial centers, particularly in the north and west, created densely populated cities and a growing working class. This shift was not uniform: eastern provinces like East Prussia and Posen remained largely rural, while western regions such as the Rhineland and Westphalia experienced explosive growth.

The consequences of this rapid urbanization were profound. Poor living and working conditions in crowded cities fueled social unrest and led to the rise of the German Social Democratic Party, which became the largest socialist party in the world at the time. The period set the stage for intense social conflict within Germany, as workers organized for better conditions and political representation. The data on city growth—such as the fivefold population increases in Duisburg, Essen, and Kiel—illustrates the scale of change. This era remains a key reference point for understanding modern Germany's urban and political development.

Did You Know?

• Between 1871 and 1910, the percentage of Germans in communities under 2,000 people fell from 64% to 40%.
• The number of German cities with over 200,000 residents increased from 3 to 13 between 1875 and 1910.
• Duisburg's population grew from approximately 30,000–31,000 to 229,438 between 1875 and 1910.
• In 1910, two-thirds of East Prussia's population lived in communities of less than 2,000 people.