How did French Huguenot refugees contribute to Berlin’s population growth?

French Huguenot refugees significantly bolstered Berlin’s population growth during the late 17th century after fleeing persecution in France under Louis XIV.1

The Great Elector, Frederick William, welcomed these Calvinist refugees, and by the end of the 17th century, they accounted for one-fifth of the city's inhabitants. Their arrival was a major factor in the city's demographic expansion; for instance, the population of Berlin grew from 12,000 in 1670 to 61,000 by 1712, a figure that included approximately 6,000 Huguenots.21

Beyond their impact on population numbers, the Huguenots played a vital role in the city's development by introducing new manufacturing branches and influencing administration, the military, science, education, and fashion. Their cultural legacy remains evident today, as the Berlin dialect still incorporates many terms of French derivation.1