Germany’s immigrant population is experiencing rising satisfaction with life, according to the "Well-Being Monitor" – a study released by Germany’s Institute for Population Research (BiB) this week.
But major differences in reported levels of life satisfaction exist between immigrant groups in Germany.
Lead researcher Professor Katharina Spiess and her team questioned 30,000 people in Germany aged 20 to 52 for the study, focusing on both newcomers and those with deeper roots in the country. It asked each respondent to rate how "satisfied" they were with their life currently on a scale of 0 to 10.
The aim, according to BiB, is to use well-being as a measure not only of personal happiness but also of social integration and economic prosperity.
According to the research, immigrants from Eastern Europe experienced the highest levels of well-being, while those who have lived in Germany for decades achieve satisfaction equalling – or even surpassing – their native-born neighbours.
But not all groups agree. The descendants of immigrants for example, tend to be less satisfied – an intriguing trend which raises new questions about successful integration and what truly makes people happy.
Who are Germany’s happiest immigrants?
Immigrants from Eastern Europe, including Poland and the countries of the former Soviet Union, stand out as having the most positive outlook on life: nearly one in four rates themselves as “very satisfied,” compared to a national average of around 17 percent.
Their well-being is attributed to greater cultural proximity and smoother migration pathways. Those who have resided in Germany for more than 45 years also reported very high levels of satisfaction, suggesting that familiarity and stability are key ingredients in happiness.
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In contrast, immigrants from Asia and Africa show significantly higher proportions of dissatisfaction. The researchers attribute this to experiences of discrimination, racism, cultural distance, and more challenging migration routes.
There are also notable differences among recent asylum seekers.
A large number of refugees from Iraq express dissatisfaction with their current situation, whereas a significant proportion of those from Syria report being very satisfied.
Researchers suggest this disparity may be linked to differences in their residence status: refugees from Iraq often have a lower protection rate, affecting factors such as eligibility for family reunification.
The level of dissatisfaction among Ukrainian refugees is particularly high, a finding which the study attributes to the ongoing conflict in their home country and the relatively short amount of time they have been in Germany.
Additionally, older asylum seekers tend to experience loneliness more acutely than younger ones – a pattern observed across various nationalities.
The 'integration paradox'
Approximately one in every four people living in Germany has a migrant background. Among these 21.2 million individuals, 42 percent hold German citizenship (of whom roughly a quarter were born in Germany).
In total, 22.1 percent of immigrants up to the age of 52 said they were very satisfied with life in Germany. But only 14.9 percent of second generation immigrants said the same.
Sociologists refer to this as the “integration paradox”. The term was first coined by a term coined by integration expert Aladin El- Mafaalani, who suggested that successful integration may sometimes increase the risk of frustration and conflict .
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This can happen when the descendants of immigrants, who not only want to be part of society but also influence and shape it, encounter resistance and pushback.
The BiB researchers, noting the positive impact of economic stability, employment, health and educational opportunities, recommended political measures to improve integration including quicker recognition of foreign qualifications, access to language courses and support for traumatised individuals.
Language skills emerge as particularly essential – the less German is spoken in the household, according to the survey, the greater the chance of unhappiness.
What about Germans abroad?
A small number of Germans – just 0.4 percent in 2024 – choose to emigrate and seek new lives abroad.
According to the Well-Being Monitor, these emigrants often report greater happiness than those who remain in Germany.
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Favourable climates, lower living costs and increased purchasing power are cited as major reasons.
Germans who contemplate emigration but yet to take the plunge are somewhat less satisfied, perhaps reflecting restlessness or the desire for change.
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