These groups are most likely to consider emigrating
According to a study by the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM),around one in five people in Germany are considering emigrating. A total of 21 percent of those surveyed said they could imagine moving away.
Among Germans without a migration background, this figure is 17 percent. However, the figures are significantly higher among people with a migration background: 34 percent of first-generation migrants and as many as 37 percent of their descendants said they had considered this.
People with family ties to Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa are particularly likely to consider emigrating. In this group, the proportion is 39 percent. Among people with a migration background from the former Soviet Union (now Russia), the figure is 31 percent. Among people with ties to other EU countries, it is 28 percent.
One in five people want to leave Germany – here are the reasons why
The most frequently cited reason is the hope for a better quality of life outside Germany. At least half of those considering emigrating cite this motive.
Other factors also play a role. People with a migration background report experiences of discrimination significantly more often. Poor treatment or discrimination is cited as a reason comparatively often, especially among the descendants of immigrants.
The motives vary somewhat depending on the group of origin. While discrimination plays a greater role for some groups, others more frequently cite financial reasons or economic prospects as the trigger for their considerations.
1.2 million departures in 2024
Despite the relatively high number of people considering emigrating, only a few have concrete plans. Only around two percent of those surveyed said they wanted to move away from Germany within a year.
At the same time, official figures show that emigration is indeed taking place. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 1.2 million people left Germany in 2024. These include both German and foreign nationals, for example in the context of return migration, onward migration, or professional mobility.
Political events influence the mood
For the study, 2,933 people were surveyed a total of five times between summer 2024 and summer 2025. This was done to highlight fluctuations over time. Overall, the figures remained relatively stable throughout the study period.
However, there was one exception: shortly before the federal elections in February 2025, emigration considerations among immigrants and their descendants rose significantly—by about ten percentage points.
The researchers see this as an indication that political debates and social attitudes influence migrants' personal sense of security and confidence in the future in Germany.
Migration receives less attention in politics and the media
The authors of the study also point out that public debate in Germany focuses heavily on immigration. The fact that people regularly emigrate from Germany, on the other hand, receives significantly less attention.
However, researchers believe that this topic is particularly important in light of demographic change and the growing shortage of labor and skilled workers.
Other studies confirm this trend. A study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in early 2025 concluded that around 26 percent of people who have immigrated to Germany are considering emigrating.
The current figures clearly show that many people in Germany—especially immigrants and their descendants—are thinking about their long-term future in the country. However, whether these considerations will actually result in emigration depends on many individual, social, and political factors.
