Latest news with #KatiaGallegosTorres
DW
30-06-2025
- Business
- DW
Germany: 1 in 4 immigrants doesn't want to stay – DW – 06/17/2025
Why are immigrants leaving Germany? A new study shows that other countries are more attractive to economically successful foreigners. Discrimination also plays a major role. The German economy is weakening — and yet many sectors desperately need skilled workers, including the medical professions, especially nursing, as well as IT, and construction. Germany also has a shortage of educators, cooks and people who can drive trucks and buses. At the end of 2024, there were around 1.4 million unfilled positions in German companies nationwide. At the same time, more and more immigrants are coming to Germany to work. In 2024, the proportion of foreign employees was just over 16%. It has more than doubled since 2010. Employment in medical professions is disproportionately high. More than one in six doctors is a foreign citizen. In nursing, employment growth since 2022 has been exclusively attributable to foreign personnel. Currently, one in five workers in this sector is an immigrant. But do these people actually want to stay in Germany in the long term? The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) at the Federal Employment Agency has now presented a study on this issue, based on a representative online survey of 50,000 people born abroad who immigrated to Germany between the ages of 18 and 65. The survey excludes asylum seekers who do not yet have recognized residence status in Germany. The survey period ran from December 2024 to April 2025. "Twenty-six percent, or around 2.6 million people, say that they actually considered leaving Germany last year, i.e., they thought about leaving the country," said Yuliya Kosyakova, head of the Migration, Integration, and International Labor Market Research Division at the IAB, as she summarized the figures at the presentation of the study in Berlin. "Around 3%, or 300,000 people, already have concrete plans to leave." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video About half of those who do not want to stay would like to return to their country of origin, while the other half want to move to another country. Poland and Romania are the most popular destinations among those who want to return. And for those immigrants who wish to move on to a third country, people expressed Switzerland, the US, or Spain as top envisaged destinations. "A key finding of our survey is that it is precisely those who moved to Germany to work or study, who are better educated or more economically successful and who have a better command of the German language, who are more likely than average to consider leaving or express concrete plans to emigrate," said IAB researcher Katia Gallegos Torres. Immigrants with a master's degree or doctorate and higher earners in particular have considered leaving Germany in the last twelve months. "In knowledge-intensive service sectors such as IT, finance, and business-related services, between 30% and 39% of those surveyed are considering emigrating," said Gallegos Torres. There are also "significant" emigration trends in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. "In summary, these are precisely the people that Germany urgently needs to secure its skilled labor force. This selective emigration poses considerable risks for Germany's economic future." But what are the reasons? Family reasons play a major role for those returning home, while immigrants who want to move to another country are primarily looking for better career opportunities and higher earnings. Taxes and social security contributions and too much bureaucracy in Germany are frequently cited reasons for leaving. Added to this are experiences of discrimination. "Almost two-thirds of immigrants report perceived discrimination, for example at work, on the housing market, in public spaces or in contact with the police," says Gallegos Torres. "A third of immigrants also feel either not at all or only slightly welcome. These are factors that significantly increase the tendency to emigrate." The study shows that the political atmosphere in Germany has also played a role. "In 2024, the debate was very much dominated by the issue of migration, and social acceptance was not particularly high," noted Kosyakova. Just over a quarter of people in Germany have some kind of a migration background. Some 21 million people have either come to Germany themselves since 1950 or have parents who did. Some 6.5 million people have come to Germany since 2015 alone. The largest groups among them are Syrians and Ukrainians. In the federal elections in February, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which advocates for the deportation of millions of people with non-German roots, became the second-strongest political force in the country. Meanwhile, the conservative CDU won the election after promising a tougher immigration policy. Now in coalition with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the CDU's first migration policy measure was to extend border controls. Similarly, a plan to allow well-integrated immigrants to obtain citizenship more quickly, established by the last government, was immediately abolished. "These big debates about migration and migration policy have a negative impact on people, on the feeling of welcome, on experiences of discrimination," said Kosyakova. "These are reasons why people report thinking more often about emigrating or actually planning to leave Germany." Experts consistently calculate that Germany needs around 400,000 additional immigrants per year who will stay permanently in order to maintain its labor force. This, they argue, is also the only way to balance demographic trends. Germany is an aging country. There are more and more pensioners and fewer and fewer people in work. This not only leads to a labor shortage, but also to a lack of government revenue to finance pensions. Against this backdrop, the IAB study shows that "not only immigration, but also the long-term retention of immigrants is a key challenge," according to Kosyakova. Overall, there are many indications that government measures such as reducing bureaucracy, simplifying the recognition of qualifications, increasing digitalization, and providing tax breaks could reduce the tendency to emigrate, especially among professionally successful immigrants, say the IAB researchers. However, they add that "broad and honest" social acceptance is also needed. Meanwhile, the CDU is now calling for foreign medical students not to be allowed to leave so easily after graduating. Anyone who studies in Germany should follow their studies by working as a doctor for at least five years — preferably in rural areas of Germany, where there is a growing shortage of medical professionals. "Those who do not want to do so must repay the costs of this first-class education," said Sepp Müller, deputy chairman of the CDU group in parliament. The Health Ministry, also run by the CDU, has welcomed the proposal. "We must attract young doctors to work in Germany instead of watching them leave," explained Tino Sorge, state secretary in the you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Germany attracts highly educated migrants, but many want to leave. Here's why
More than 20% of people in 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. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) 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. Live Events You Might Also Like: Germany, Russia Indian students look to new countries as global education landscape changes 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.' You Might Also Like: Germany witnesses record-high surge in citizenships in 2024, marking a 46% increase 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 You Might Also Like: Germany tightens migration rules: 3-year citizenship ends, family visas frozen for some 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.'
DW
17-06-2025
- Business
- DW
Germany: One in four immigrants doesn't want to stay – DW – 06/17/2025
Why are immigrants leaving Germany? A new study shows that other countries are more attractive to economically successful foreigners. Discrimination also plays a major role. The German economy is weakening — and yet many sectors desperately need skilled workers, including the medical professions, especially nursing, as well as IT, and construction. Germany also has a shortage of educators, cooks, and people who can drive trucks and buses. At the end of 2024, there were around 1.4 million unfilled positions in German companies nationwide. At the same time, more and more immigrants are coming to Germany to work. In 2024, the proportion of foreign employees was just over 16%. It has more than doubled since 2010. Employment in medical professions is disproportionately high. More than one in six doctors is a foreign citizen. In nursing, employment growth since 2022 has been exclusively attributable to foreign personnel. Currently, one in five workers in this sector is an immigrant. Thinking about leaving But do these people actually want to stay in Germany in the long term? The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) at the Federal Employment Agency has now presented a study on this issue , based on a representative online survey of 50,000 people born abroad who immigrated to Germany between the ages of 18 and 65. The survey excludes asylum seekers who do not yet have recognized residence status in Germany. The survey period ran from December 2024 to April 2025. "Twenty-six percent, or around 2.6 million people, say that they actually considered leaving Germany last year, i.e., they thought about leaving the country," said Yuliya Kosyakova, head of the Migration, Integration, and International Labor Market Research Division at the IAB, as she summarized the figures at the presentation of the study in Berlin. "Around 3%, or 300,000 people, already have concrete plans to leave." Skilled migration to Germany: Navigating the challenges To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Germany as a stopover About half of those who do not want to stay would like to return to their country of origin, while the other half want to move to another country. Poland and Romania are the most popular destinations among those who want to return. And for those immigrants who wish to move on to a third country, people expressed Switzerland, the US, or Spain as top envisaged destinations. "A key finding of our survey is that it is precisely those who moved to Germany to work or study, who are better educated or more economically successful and who have a better command of the German language, who are more likely than average to consider leaving or express concrete plans to emigrate," said IAB researcher Katia Gallegos Torres. Emigration is a risk for Germany Immigrants with a master's degree or doctorate and higher earners in particular have considered leaving Germany in the last twelve months. "In knowledge-intensive service sectors such as IT, finance, and business-related services, between 30% and 39% of those surveyed are considering emigrating," said Gallegos Torres. There are also "significant" emigration trends in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. "In summary, these are precisely the people that Germany urgently needs to secure its skilled labor force. This selective emigration poses considerable risks for Germany's economic future." High taxes and increasing discrimination But what are the reasons? Family reasons play a major role for those returning home, while immigrants who want to move to another country are primarily looking for better career opportunities and higher earnings. Taxes and social security contributions and too much bureaucracy in Germany are frequently cited reasons for leaving. Added to this are experiences of discrimination. "Almost two-thirds of immigrants report perceived discrimination, for example at work, on the housing market, in public spaces or in contact with the police," says Gallegos Torres. "A third of immigrants also feel either not at all or only slightly welcome. These are factors that significantly increase the tendency to emigrate." Political mood has a deterrent effect The study shows that the political atmosphere in Germany has also played a role. "In 2024, the debate was very much dominated by the issue of migration, and social acceptance was not particularly high," noted Kosyakova. Just over a quarter of people in Germany have some kind of a migration background. Some 21 million people have either come to Germany themselves since 1950 or have parents who did. Some 6.5 million people have come to Germany since 2015 alone. The largest groups among them are Syrians and Ukrainians. In the federal elections in February, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which advocates for the deportation of millions of people with non-German roots, became the second strongest political force in the country. Meanwhile, the conservative CDU won the election after promising a tougher immigration policy. Now in coalition with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the CDU's first migration policy measure was to extend border controls. Similarly, a plan to allow well-integrated immigrants to obtain citizenship more quickly, established by the last government, was immediately abolished. "These big debates about migration and migration policy have a negative impact on people, on the feeling of welcome, on experiences of discrimination," said Kosyakova. "These are reasons why people report thinking more often about emigrating or actually planning to leave Germany." One of the CDU's first acts in power was to make it more difficult to enter Germany Image: Pia Bayer/dpa/picture alliance Germany cannot afford emigration Experts consistently calculate that Germany needs around 400,000 additional immigrants per year who will stay permanently in order to maintain its labor force potential. This, they argue, is also the only way to balance demographic trends. Germany is an aging country. There are more and more pensioners and fewer and fewer people in work. This not only leads to a labor shortage, but also to a lack of government revenue to finance pensions. Against this backdrop, the IAB study shows that "not only immigration, but also the long-term retention of immigrants is a key challenge," according to Kosyakova. Motivating people to stay Overall, there are many indications that government measures such as reducing bureaucracy, simplifying the recognition of qualifications, increasing digitalization, and providing tax breaks could reduce the tendency to emigrate, especially among professionally successful immigrants, say the IAB researchers. However, they add that "broad and honest" social acceptance is also needed. Meanwhile, the CDU is now calling for foreign medical students not to be allowed to leave so easily after graduating. Anyone who studies in Germany should follow their studies by working as a doctor for at least five years — preferably in rural areas of Germany, where there is a growing shortage of medical professionals. "Those who do not want to do so must repay the costs of this first-class education," said Sepp Müller, deputy chairman of the CDU group in parliament. The Health Ministry, also run by the CDU, has welcomed the proposal. "We must attract young doctors to work in Germany instead of watching them leave," explained Tino Sorge, state secretary in the ministry. This article was originally written in German. While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.
Local Germany
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
Why a quarter of immigrants in Germany are thinking of leaving
According to a study by Germany's Institute for Employment Research (IAB), approximately one in every four immigrants is currently considering leaving the country. This equates to 2.6 million people. The study, which looked at data from a survey of around 50,000 immigrants, suggests that three percent of immigrants in Germany (300,000 people) already have concrete plans to leave. Around 12 percent (or 1.2 million people), on the other hand, currently plan to stay in the country temporarily, and a further 30 percent (or 3 million people) are undecided. A narrow majority of Germany's immigrant population, at around 57 percent, said they plan to stay permanently. The Local caught up with Dr. Katia Gallegos Torres, an IAB researcher who worked on the study, to ask why some immigrants are opting-out of settling in Germany long-term and what the country's governing authorities can do about it. Which factors push immigrants out of Germany? According to the study, the main reasons some immigrants want to leave Germany include; political dissatisfaction , discrimination in the workplace (and during interactions with authorities), the high tax burden, and bureaucratic obstacles . Family considerations and better economic prospects in other countries were also cited as reasons for contemplating emigration. Commenting on the findings, Gallegos Torres emphasized that social integration plays a decisive role in whether or not immigrants remain in a country. 'A strong subjective feeling of being welcome, emotional ties to Germany, and low perceptions of discrimination reduce the likelihood of emigration considerations and plans,' she told The Local. READ ALSO: What are your responsibilities as a foreign resident in Germany? One key finding of the survey is that 'well-integrated' migrants are more likely to consider leaving or already have concrete plans to do so. These are people who moved to Germany to work or study, and who tend to be better educated, more economically successful, and often have a better command of the German language. 'We know from migration research that people with higher levels of education are more mobile,' explained Gallegos Torres. 'However, in addition to higher mobility, there may be structural reasons driving this trend, such as the political situation in Germany.' Advertisement Other IAB studies have shown that foreign workers of all skill levels are more likely to move away from regions with more right-wing extremist attitudes. The fact that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is now the largest opposition party in Germany, along with recent moves by the federal government to take a harder line on migration, may well have heightened anxieties among immigrant communities. READ ALSO: 'A fifth of voters hate me' - How do foreigners in Germany feel about far-right surge? What is the government doing to retain skilled workers? Attracting migrants to Germany is one well-known challenge facing the German government, but persuading them to stay in the country is another. 'A sustainable migration policy requires more than simply promoting immigration – it is equally important to consider the possibility of people leaving the country," Gallegos Torres said. READ ALSO: Are significantly more skilled workers moving to Germany? Asked what the government can do to convince working immigrants to stay in Germany for the long-term, Gallegos Torres said her research has highlighted a number of areas where improvements could be made. 'The findings of the survey provide important pointers in this regard, and underscore the urgent need to remove structural barriers, accelerate and simplify migration and administrative processes, strengthen social integration, and actively promote social openness.' Advertisement She cited a federal initiative to create a "digital work and stay agency" as a solid step toward addressing some of those issues. The agency "will serve as a central IT platform to accelerate processes related to labour migration and the recognition of professional qualifications" Gallegos Torres explained. Additional concrete measures could include offering tax incentives, promoting local integration programs, and introducing measures to make it easier for the partners and children of immigrants to gain entry to Germany. OPINION: If Germany is to thrive it must help foreigners feel they belong here
