Germany attracts highly educated migrants, but many want to leave. Here's why
Germany
have an immigrant background, and many are highly educated. In 2024, about 32.1% of migrants from non‑EU countries held a university degree or an equivalent qualification — up from 30.9% in 2023. This is a record level and part of a rising trend over the past decade, a new Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin) study shows. For EU‑born migrants, the figure rose from 33.8% to 35.2% across the EU, and from 28.6% to 30.1% within Germany.
'This continuous rise in education levels highlights the potential migrants bring to EU labor markets,' said Tommaso Frattini, professor at the University of Milan and co‑director of the Center for Research and Analysis of Migration at RFBerlin. 'If migrants' skills are fully utilized, they can be a key driver of economic growth across the EU.'
More migrants fill vital roles
In Germany, more and more foreigners are working in critical sectors. In 2024, roughly 16% of all workers were born outside Germany, more than double the rate in 2010. In medical fields, one in every five nursing staff and one in every six doctors are now foreign‑born. According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), this trend has been crucial for filling more than 1.4 million open positions across industries — including healthcare, IT, construction, and logistics.
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Why many consider leaving Germany
Yet despite rising education and growing workforce contributions, many highly skilled migrants consider leaving the country. According to DW, an IAB survey of 50,000 people born abroad, conducted between December 2024 and April 2025, found that roughly 26% — about 2.6 million people — said they had thought about leaving Germany over the past year. Another 3%, roughly 300,000 people, already have concrete plans to do so.
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About half of those intending to leave want to return to their home countries, especially Poland and Romania. The rest plan to move to a third country, with Switzerland, the US, and Spain named as top choices.
Why are they leaving?
The reasons are varied. According to IAB researcher Katia Gallegos Torres, discrimination is a key factor. 'Almost two‑thirds of immigrants report discrimination — at work, in housing, in public spaces, or in dealings with authorities. A third say they feel 'not at all' or only 'slightly' welcome,' she said.
High‑skilled and well‑paid migrants are more likely than others to consider leaving. In fields like IT, finance, and business services, between 30–39% of surveyed professionals said they were thinking about emigrating. Similar trends were observed in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. According to Gallegos Torres, 'these are precisely the people that Germany urgently needs.'
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The political climate also plays a role. The rise of the AfD party and tougher migration policies from mainstream parties have created feelings of exclusion and concern. The new coalition government has introduced stricter border controls and abandoned a proposed measure that would have made it easier for long‑term migrants to obtain citizenship.
Why this matters for Germany
Germany needs roughly 400,000 long‑term immigrants every year to maintain its workforce and balance its aging population, the IAB said. The Rockwool Foundation researchers warn that discrimination and barriers to career advancement risk undermining the benefits of this trend.
Government measures such as reducing bureaucracy, speeding up qualification recognition, providing tax incentives, and fostering a more welcoming climate could help retain highly skilled migrants. 'Broad and honest social acceptance' is needed, the IAB said, adding that Germany must find ways to keep the very people it needs most.
Policy proposals under debate
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The conservative CDU party has proposed making it mandatory for medical students who train in Germany to work in the country for five years after graduating, especially in rural areas where shortages are acute. Those who choose not to stay could be required to repay the cost of their education, said Sepp Müller, deputy chairman of the CDU parliamentary group. According to DW, the Health Ministry has backed this idea, calling it a step towards ensuring that 'young doctors work in Germany instead of leaving.'
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