A recent survey by the Expert Council for Integration and Migration reveals growing skepticism towards integration in Germany, with the integration climate index dropping to 66.3 points. While the overall sentiment remains positive, discrimination against migrants persists, particularly in workplaces. Public acceptance of refugees varies based on their circumstances, with notable differences in support for women versus men. Economic concerns also contribute to fears about refugees impacting national prosperity, leading some migrants to consider emigration.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Coexistence Among Diverse Communities
A recent survey reveals that the perception of integration in Germany has shifted, with a noticeable increase in skepticism compared to two years ago. The latest findings from the Integration Barometer, conducted by the Expert Council for Integration and Migration (SVR), surveyed approximately 15,000 individuals from November 2023 to July 2024, with a balanced representation of those with and without migration backgrounds. While the overall sentiment towards the integration climate remains mostly positive, it has dipped since the previous assessment.
The integration climate index currently sits at 66.3 points, aligning with figures from four years ago. In contrast, the index peaked at 68.5 points in 2022. The scale, ranging from 0 to 100, signifies a higher score as a more favorable view of the integration atmosphere.
“This study indicates a deterioration in the climate towards migrants,” stated Ferda Ataman, the Independent Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination. She highlighted that other studies show over half of migrants in Germany face discrimination in workplaces or public services.
Are Media Discussions Influencing Public Perception?
The Expert Council’s results present a complex picture: while skepticism has increased in certain areas, some improvements have also been noted. Hans Vorländer, the Council Chairman, suggested that there is a distinction between abstract discussions and personal experiences within communities. He linked the increased skepticism to “the often heated media debates surrounding migration policies.”
A new study highlighted that Germans without a migration background, particularly men and those from East Germany, exhibited heightened skepticism towards various integration aspects. For instance, when asked about enrolling children in schools with diverse student populations, only 55 percent of parents without a migration background expressed willingness, a decline from approximately 65 percent two years prior. The SVR speculates that issues such as teacher shortages and inadequate school resources may contribute to this shift.
For many refugee children and adolescents, the educational journey often begins in preparatory classes.
Different Perspectives on Refugees: Violence vs. Poverty
Public acceptance varies significantly between those fleeing violence and those seeking refuge from poverty. Generally, refugee women receive a more favorable reception compared to their male counterparts. For example, an asylum application from a Muslim woman with a university degree escaping conflict garnered 98.2 percent support, while a request from a Muslim man without a diploma seeking refuge from poverty received only 48.5 percent approval.
Additionally, mothers with migration backgrounds are less likely to be employed compared to their German counterparts, although this is not necessarily indicative of capability.
Vorländer noted that perceptions of Germany’s economic outlook, which many view as “less optimistic,” have increased the sentiment among West Germans that the influx of refugees threatens national prosperity. In West Germany, 36.7 percent of respondents align with this belief, reflecting a 13.5 percentage point rise since 2018, while East Germany’s figure remains relatively stable at 46.7 percent.
Furthermore, the report indicates that those with migration backgrounds who face discrimination or perceive disadvantages are significantly more likely to contemplate emigration, with around 38.3 percent of this group considering leaving.
This topic was initially reported by BR24 on December 10, 2024, at 1:15 PM.