Germany is seeking skilled immigrants to bolster its labor market while managing asylum seeker numbers. In 2023, over half of new arrivals were EU citizens, with Ukrainian refugees and family reunifications also contributing significantly. Experts argue for a unified approach to migration, highlighting the importance of personal connections in migration decisions. Current discussions often overlook the economic benefits of labor migrants and the potential for better integration, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive migration policy.
Germany’s Need for Qualified Immigrants
Germany is actively seeking skilled immigrants to support its labor market while simultaneously working to limit the influx of asylum seekers. Experts highlight the importance of not viewing these two groups as separate entities.
In the previous year, approximately 1.9 million individuals relocated to Germany, with around 1.3 million departing. This resulted in a net immigration increase of 663,000 people, a crucial figure noted by the Institute for Employment Research. The institute suggests that to sustain the labor force potential in the long term, Germany requires an influx of up to 400,000 individuals annually.
The Composition of Immigrants in Germany
So, who is arriving in Germany currently? Last year, over half of the new immigrants were EU citizens, continuing a trend from past years. These individuals move within the EU without requiring a visa.
Among non-EU migrants, Ukrainian war refugees constituted the largest group. Additionally, there were 329,120 asylum applications submitted last year. The next significant group of immigrants consisted of close family members of residents already in Germany, followed by skilled workers, primarily from India, as noted by migration researcher Petra Bendel from the University of Erlangen.
According to the federal government, a legislative reform passed a year ago is beginning to yield positive outcomes.
Current discussions surrounding immigration tend to focus on asylum seekers, who largely come from conflict zones like Syria and Afghanistan, as highlighted by Albert Scherr, a former sociology professor at the University of Education Freiburg. Furthermore, many migrants hailed from Turkey in 2023, a country historically linked to Germany as a destination for immigration, where political opposition figures seek refuge.
The case of Turkey illustrates the significance of historically established relationships. Personal connections are often the primary factor influencing migration choices. Hannes Schammann, a political scientist specializing in migration policy at the University of Hildesheim, emphasizes that individuals tend to migrate to places where they already have acquaintances, and the reliance on social benefits has minimal impact on this trend.
Research from the UK supports this notion, indicating that personal social contacts are the leading reason why individuals choose Germany or other countries as their destination. Conversely, work restrictions in host countries are unlikely to deter migrants and can be counterproductive. Schammann argues that keeping individuals on social benefits for extended periods ultimately incurs higher costs.
In Europe, one in four workers is a migrant, highlighting a connection to economic prosperity.
Schammann stresses that the distinction between refugees seeking protection and labor migrants benefiting the economy is not as clear-cut as it seems. He advocates for a comprehensive migration policy that considers all migrants collectively to maximize labor market potential. For instance, work visas could be issued to individuals from nations severely affected by climate change, allowing them to integrate into the German labor market before facing forced displacement.
Germany welcomes more refugees than many Western nations, adhering to the Geneva Conventions. However, researchers believe there is significant room for improvement. By fostering better interactions between immigrants and long-term residents, both groups could reap greater benefits.
Sociologist Scherr shares this perspective and expresses disappointment over the current migration discourse, which he feels lacks a factual approach to the real circumstances. He argues that the dialogue often leans towards populism, neglecting the willingness of a substantial portion of the population to engage in open and unbiased conversations about migration.
This topic was reported by Deutschlandfunk on February 29, 2024, at 3:00 PM.