Significant Share of Immigrants Consider Leaving Germany
A growing number of immigrants in Germany are rethinking their future in the country, according to a new survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). The study reveals that 26% of migrant respondents, aged between 18 and 65, are considering leaving Germany at some point, citing dissatisfaction with various aspects of life in the country.
However, while the idea of leaving is common, actual plans to emigrate remain limited. Only 3% of participants said they are actively preparing to leave within the next 12 months. Of those, half intend to return to their home countries, while the other half are considering moving elsewhere—primarily within the Schengen Area.
Dissatisfaction Runs Deep Among Immigrants
The survey, based on an online poll carried out in Nuremberg, included responses from 50,000 immigrants. A significant number expressed discontent with life in Germany, pointing to bureaucratic hurdles, high taxes, and frustration with the political environment.
Younger immigrants appear to make up the majority of those discontented. Two-thirds of the survey's respondents were under the age of 40, reflecting a demographic that is mobile, professionally ambitious, and less likely to tolerate dissatisfaction for long.
A Warning Sign for Germany's Labour Market
More worrying for policymakers is the trend among highly educated immigrants. According to IAB, those with advanced degrees or professional training are more likely to contemplate leaving—posing a threat to Germany’s already stretched labor market.
“If Germany’s labour market is to continue functioning, we need skilled workers and labour from third countries,” said Vanessa Ahuja, Director of Benefits and International Affairs at the Federal Employment Agency.
The healthcare sector, in particular, is feeling the pressure. Sepp Müller, deputy leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), recently proposed that international students who study medicine in Germany should be required to work in the country for at least five years post-graduation. Those unwilling to do so, he suggested, should reimburse the cost of their publicly funded education.
“Anyone who studies here should practice in the country for at least five years. Anyone who does not want to do this must pay back the costs of this first-class education,” Müller said.
Looking Ahead
The IAB plans to continue monitoring these trends to provide German decision-makers with the data they need to improve conditions for immigrants—especially skilled ones. With Germany increasingly reliant on foreign labour to sustain its economic and social systems, retaining migrant talent may soon become just as crucial as attracting it.
Source: InfoMigrants – Over 25% of Immigrants in Germany Want to Leave
