A recent survey by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) has revealed that more than a quarter of immigrants living in Germany are considering leaving the country in the future. The findings raise concerns about Germany’s ability to retain skilled foreign workers amid ongoing labor shortages, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare.

According to the survey, 26% of immigrant respondents aged 18 to 65 indicated they were contemplating emigration. Notably, asylum seekers were not part of this study, which focused on settled migrants. The research, conducted online in Nuremberg, reflects growing dissatisfaction among foreigners living in Germany, especially young, educated professionals.

Key Findings from the IAB Survey

• 26% of immigrants are considering leaving Germany

• Only 3% are actively planning to emigrate within 12 months

• 50% of those planning to leave want to return to their home countries

• The other 50% aim to move to a third country

• 50,000 respondents expressed dissatisfaction with life in Germany

Reasons Immigrants Are Considering Leaving Germany

The survey highlighted several key factors contributing to migrant dissatisfaction:

• Bureaucratic hurdles

• High tax burdens

• Dissatisfaction with the political climate

• Limited professional growth opportunities

Moreover, two-thirds of the surveyed individuals were under 40, indicating that younger immigrants—many of whom are highly educated and professionally qualified—are disproportionately more likely to consider leaving.

Highly Educated Immigrants Most Likely to Emigrate

The IAB expressed significant concern that highly educated immigrants and those with professional training are the most likely to leave Germany. This is particularly troubling for sectors like healthcare, which are already facing critical skilled labor shortages.

The issue has drawn political attention. A CDU deputy leader recently suggested that international medical students—who study at German universities often free of tuition—should be required to work in Germany for at least five years after graduation to help ease the shortage.

What This Means for Germany’s Labor Market

Germany’s dependency on skilled migration has grown in recent years. Losing qualified professionals due to dissatisfaction and systemic issues could severely impact economic stability and public services. The IAB plans to continue this research in the coming years to monitor trends and provide data-driven recommendations to policy-makers.

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