More and more patents in Germany are being filed by people with foreign roots. This is shown by figures from the German Economic Institute (IW). This makes them increasingly important for the German economy.
According to the institute’s calculations, around one in seven inventions (14 per cent) in 2022 were attributable to immigrants. By way of comparison, in 2000 it was one in twenty. For their study, the researchers assigned the first names of all inventors since 2000 to one of 24 language areas. This makes it possible to determine the region of origin of the person in question with a high degree of probability.
People from the Arab world in the lead
According to the study, inventors from Eastern and Southern Europe make the largest contribution to patent activity in this country, accounting for just under three percent each. The Arab region, including Turkey, follows in third place with around two percent. Its share has quadrupled since 2000. Among immigrants, the proportion of female inventors is almost twice as high as among Germans, at just under nine percent (five per cent). This is because in many countries of origin, women are more likely to choose STEM subjects, which lead to a particularly high number of patents. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
A cosmopolitan climate is needed
Germany is ageing and, like other industrialised countries, is dependent on the immigration of well-educated people, according to the IW statement. Researcher Alexandra Köbler: “In order to compete for the brightest minds, fast and unbureaucratic procedures for entry and recognition of qualifications are necessary.” A cosmopolitan climate is also crucial for attracting experts with their know-how and remaining attractive to talent abroad.
Further information:
iwkoeln.de – Erfindungen Zugewanderte
zdfheute.de – Patentanmeldung Zugewanderte
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