BERLIN: A high level of net immigration pushed Germany's population higher in 2012, official statistics showed on Monday, the second gain in two years despite an ageing society in Europe's top economy.

Federal statistics office Destatis said that 82.0 million people were living in Germany at the end of 2012, compared to 81.8 million at the start.

"After eight years of decline, the population number has now risen for the second year in a row," commented Destatis.

At least 340,000 more people entered the country than left it in 2012, the statistics showed.

This net immigration effect outweighed a high net death rate.

During the year, there were between 660,000 and 680,000 births and between 860,000 and 880,000 deaths.

Like other advanced economies, Germany is facing a snowballing population crisis, leaving the country short of workers and adding to the strain on already stretched public coffers.

With one of the lowest birth rates in Europe, Germany, currently the European Union's most populous country, could see its population decline to between 65 and 70 million by 2060, Destatis has calculated.