For the first time more people in western Germany moved into the eastern portion of the country since reunification opened up the border between the two sides in 1990.
Initially, migration westward was the trend and some 200,000 people a year headed west looking for jobs and greater financial certainty.
But that trend ceased after 24 years, with the Federal Institute for Population Research citing 2014 as the turning point.
Although eastern parts of Germany still have much higher unemployment, some of the cities there are acting like beacons.
"Berlin and its surroundings have been attractive to migrants from the west. Without Berlin, net immigration would still be negative," said the institute.
The equally historic cities of Leipzig, Dresden and Potsdam have also attracted newcomers due in part to recent enhanced economic and technological development.
At the same time, smaller towns and rural areas continue to witness depopulation.
An earlier study revealed that already in 2012 nearly 150,000 individuals moved into eastern states.
