Demonstrations of the extreme Right, and attacks on migrants are multiplying. The welcome culture in Germany at the end? A recent study by the Bertelsmann Foundation shows that it is “robust”.
Flight and Migration are the themes that dominate many of the talk shows. There, politicians and experts talk of a perceived loss of control and limits, seats, and other. At the same time, the authorities have registered 2000 crimes against refugees and asylum – seekers accommodations alone for the year 2018, the extreme-Right March and more. In 2015 all other images from Germany were received in the autumn of the world: refugees, the heavy baggage of applauding people were taken to railway stations with water and stuffed animals in reception. Welcome to culture has been called this kindness.
But what became of her? Is she forgotten? A new study by the Bertelsmann-Foundation with the title “welcome culture between skepticism and pragmatism” now shows: The perceived culture of welcome “robust”. You’ve been travelling at a relatively high level, says Orkan Kösemen, one of the authors of the study from the Bertelsmann Foundation. 2025 persons were interviewed by the survey Institute Kantar Emnid on various aspects of immigration. You should not describe your own attitude, or your dealings with this topic, but the attitude of the Germans to immigrants and refugees to assess.
Especially in the case of economic issues, the respondents see opportunities through Migration
Economy: the trend is positive
For example, 79 percent of respondents believe that immigrants who work in Germany, to the authorities, the majority of welcome, in the case of refugees, the number is 71 percent. Immigrants are also mostly welcome to the population at the site (71 percent), in the case of refugees, it is 56 percent.
The issue of shortage of skilled workers, 41 percent are in favour of, to recruit staff from abroad. Two-thirds of the respondents in the immigration overall has a positive effect for the German economy. Also the settlement of foreign companies, a clear majority is positive.
Immigrants versus refugees
The picture, the Locals of immigrants do, has an influence on the culture of welcome, the study shows. In Germany, the image of immigrants is largely positive. That their achievements are recognized, faith only 45 percent of respondents – compared to 2012, is a decline. This could be due to the fact that recent refugees have come to Germany, concludes the study. The labour market integration of Refugees, to bring the medium to long term fruit for the host country. In addition, the structure of power of the first so-called guest workers-generations tickets get now in oblivion.
Migration is not a Black-and-White issue, says Kösemen: “It is a mixture of opportunities and risks – and so the feelings of the people.” Therefore, there is in addition to the opportunities to see many for the economy, is also sceptical. A narrow majority of 52 percent thinks that there is too much immigration. And also the question of whether Germany has reached its load limit, the divided Question.
Just under half (49 per cent) will find that Germany cannot absorb more refugees. It was 2017 in a different way. Since a majority (54 percent) was of the opinion that the load limit was reached. In return, is that 37 percent think that Germany could and should take in more refugees, because it was a humanitarian imperative.
Decline of skepticism
Overall, the migration of skepticism goes back to 2017 easily. Negative effects of Migration continues to be perceived, but with a declining trend: 71 percent see in immigration a burden for the welfare state, 69 percent see conflicts between immigrants and Locals, 64 percent, fear of problems in the school and a good 90 percent see lack of language skills of migrants as an integration hindrance. You want there to be more proactive.
Young people are more open-minded
Even if Germany is already for decades a country of immigration, the culture of welcome in Germany-young, says migration expert Kösemen: “Germany is a young immigration country with a young culture of welcome, in a double sense: on the one hand, because we perceive only the past ten to 15 years as an immigration country. On the other hand, because of the young population in Germany is looking a lot more positively to Migration than older people.”
Because that is also a result of the study: The young Generation under 30 years of age is different in their assessments and perceptions on Migration and Integration significantly different from the older generations. The Younger suspect is significantly less stress due to Migration, neither for the welfare state even in the case of the housing shortage. You focus on the opportunities. “It also depends on the proportion of persons with a migration background in the 15 – to 30-Year-old is around 30 percent, while he is Older, around 20 percent”, – stated in the study. The contact and the dealing with diversity is one of the Younger, much more of everyday life.
Positive perceptions-and not just for the young: 67 percent of all respondents believe that Migration make life more interesting. 64 percent see immigration as a remedy against the Ageing of the society. Almost 90 percent and that the state shall ensure that refugees are allowed to work in Germany faster.