Halle (dpa/sa) – Immigration has allowed the population in Saxony-Anhalt to grow. As of June 30 of this year, 2,186,227 inhabitants were counted, the State Statistical Office announced on Tuesday in Halle. That is 16,974 more than at the end of the first half of 2021. According to preliminary information, exactly 6,967 children were born alive in the first half of 2022 and 17,991 deaths were recorded. At the same time, 50,974 people moved to Saxony-Anhalt and 22,885 left the state. The increase in migration of almost 28,100 people more than compensated for the birth deficit of a good 11,000. The population increased by 0.8 percent.