A new study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reveals that Germany excels in integrating migrants despite various challenges, such as many migrants having limited education. Contrary to the prevailing perception within Germany, the study shows that the country is performing better than many of its European counterparts in this regard.
The OECD study, led by migration expert Thomas Liebig, compared data from multiple countries, including Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, and Scandinavian nations, along with comprehensive data from the EU. Liebig’s findings indicate that most migrants in Germany come from within the European Union, rather than as asylum seekers or refugees. At a press conference, Liebig noted that refugees constitute only about one-fifth of the migrants arriving in Germany over the past decade. The data underscores that nearly 60% of migrants are EU citizens seeking better job opportunities, facilitated by the EU’s ease of movement and work access.
Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany’s integration commissioner, emphasizes that migrants have long been integral to German society. She highlights the country’s diverse immigration history, which includes refugees from World War II, guest workers, resettled ethnic Germans, and more recent arrivals from Syria, Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia. According to the OECD study, 70% of migrants in Germany are employed, a figure that dipped during the coronavirus pandemic but remains higher than in almost all other EU countries, marking a record for Germany.
However, challenges persist. The study points out that while two-thirds of immigrants can speak German proficiently within five years, this number falls significantly among those with little or no formal education, with only a quarter achieving language proficiency in the same timeframe. Employment rates are also lower for this group, with around 50% securing jobs. Alabali-Radovan acknowledges the need for improvements in the education system to better serve the immigrant population. Additionally, employment among young women who migrate to Germany with at least one child but without a partner remains a concern, with only 40% of these women working compared to 70% of their German-born counterparts.
The OECD report stresses the importance of objectivity in the migration debate. Liebig points out that Germany cannot afford prolonged discussions on whether it is a country of immigrants, given that more than 14 million immigrants live in the country. Including those born in Germany to immigrant parents, one in five people in Germany are either immigrants or children of immigrants. Alabali-Radovan commissioned the study to inject greater objectivity into what she calls “an emotional debate.” She asserts that, on an international level, Germany’s integration efforts are more successful than commonly perceived.
In 2022, Germany welcomed 1 million Ukrainians and 600,000 asylum seekers, showing its importance as a destination for migrants. This large number highlights Germany’s role as a major place for people seeking refuge and better lives. Among OECD countries, only the United States has more immigrants than Germany, making it clear how significant Germany is in global migration.