Many well-educated migrants who are integrated into the German labor market want to leave Germany. That is the key finding of the first representative online survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the research institute of the Federal Employment Agency. More than 50,000 people who immigrated to Germany were surveyed. This survey is to be repeated every two years to obtain a more accurate picture of the emigration and further migration of workers who have immigrated to Germany.
According to the study, one in four immigrants is considering leaving Germany, with IT experts and those employed in the technical sector being particularly likely to do so. “It is precisely those migrants who have moved here for work or education, who are better educated, more economically successful, and better integrated linguistically who are thinking about leaving or expressing concrete plans to do so at an above-average rate,” explained researcher Lukas Olbrich, “in other words, exactly those whom Germany urgently needs to secure its skilled labor force.” Relevant emigration trends also affect the healthcare sector, the construction industry, public administration, and retail.
A narrow majority of immigrants (57 percent, estimated at around 5.7 million people) plan to stay in Germany permanently. Thirty percent are still undecided.
The main reasons cited by respondents for their intentions are political dissatisfaction, personal reasons, tax burdens, and bureaucracy. Refugees also cite experiences of discrimination as an important reason. Migrants from Europe in particular would like to return to their countries of origin (especially Poland and Romania). Switzerland, the US, and Spain are the preferred destinations for further migration.
The complete study can be found at: IAB | Study available for download (PDF)
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