According to a study by Germany’s Institute for Employment Research (IAB), approximately one in every four immigrants is currently considering leaving the country. This equates to 2.6 million people.
The study, which looked at data from a survey of around 50,000 immigrants, suggests that three percent of immigrants in Germany (300,000 people) already have concrete plans to leave.
Around 12 percent (or 1.2 million people), on the other hand, currently plan to stay in the country temporarily, and a further 30 percent (or 3 million people) are undecided.
A narrow majority of Germany's immigrant population, at around 57 percent, said they plan to stay permanently.
Dr. Katia Gallegos Torres, an IAB researcher who worked on the study, told The Local there were several factors why foreign workers decide to leave but the main one was linked to integration.
Which factors push immigrants out of Germany?
According to the study, the main reasons some immigrants want to leave Germany include; political dissatisfaction, discrimination in the workplace (and during interactions with authorities), the high tax burden, and bureaucratic obstacles.
Family considerations and better economic prospects in other countries were also cited as reasons for contemplating emigration.
Commenting on the findings, Gallegos Torres emphasised that social integration plays a decisive role in whether or not immigrants remain in a country.
“A strong subjective feeling of being welcome, emotional ties to Germany, and low perceptions of discrimination reduce the likelihood of emigration considerations and plans,” she told The Local.
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One key finding of the survey is that “well-integrated” migrants are more likely to consider leaving or already have concrete plans to do so. These are people who moved to Germany to work or study, and who tend to be better educated, more economically successful, and often have a better command of the German language.
“We know from migration research that people with higher levels of education are more mobile,” explained Gallegos Torres.
“However, in addition to higher mobility, there may be structural reasons driving this trend, such as the political situation in Germany.”
Other IAB studies have shown that foreign workers of all skill levels are more likely to move away from regions with more right-wing extremist attitudes.
The fact that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is now the largest opposition party in Germany, along with recent moves by the federal government to take a harder line on migration, may well have heightened anxieties among immigrant communities.
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What is the government doing to retain skilled workers?
Attracting migrants to Germany is one well-known challenge facing the German government, but persuading them to stay in the country is another.
“A sustainable migration policy requires more than simply promoting immigration – it is equally important to consider the possibility of people leaving the country," Gallegos Torres said.
READ ALSO: Are significantly more skilled workers moving to Germany?
Asked what the government can do to convince working immigrants to stay in Germany for the long-term, Gallegos Torres said her research has highlighted a number of areas where improvements could be made.
“The findings of the survey provide important pointers in this regard, and underscore the urgent need to remove structural barriers, accelerate and simplify migration and administrative processes, strengthen social integration, and actively promote social openness.”
She cited a federal initiative to create a "digital work and stay agency" as a solid step toward addressing some of those issues.
The agency "will serve as a central IT platform to accelerate processes related to labour migration and the recognition of professional qualifications" Gallegos Torres explained.
Additional concrete measures could include offering tax incentives, promoting local integration programs, and introducing measures to make it easier for the partners and children of immigrants to gain entry to Germany.
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