Why some skilled immigrants are leaving Germany | DW News
Summary
TLDRGermany faces an aging population and shrinking workforce, necessitating 400,000 skilled immigrants annually. Despite career opportunities, safety, and a robust healthcare system, challenges include bureaucratic hurdles, housing difficulties, and language barriers. Skilled immigrants share their experiences, highlighting the need for better support, reduced bureaucracy, and incentives for learning German to make Germany more attractive for skilled workers.
Takeaways
- π΄ Germany faces a significant demographic challenge with an aging population and a shrinking workforce, necessitating an influx of skilled immigrants.
- π§βπΌ The country requires approximately 400,000 skilled immigrants annually to sustain its workforce, indicating a substantial demand for foreign talent.
- π Despite the need, the reception of immigrants in Germany is mixed, with cultural and bureaucratic factors influencing their integration and satisfaction.
- π’ Top reasons for skilled workers to move to Germany include career opportunities, safety, a robust healthcare system, and competitive salaries.
- π Finding accommodation is a major challenge for newcomers, with many struggling to secure affordable housing within a reasonable timeframe.
- π Language is a significant barrier for immigrants, impacting their ability to access services, integrate into society, and advance in their careers.
- π₯ Germany has a critical shortage of healthcare workers, with a significant portion of the workforce being non-German, highlighting the importance of foreign workers in this sector.
- πΌ The 'Blue Card' is a valuable visa option for highly skilled workers, offering them greater mobility within the EU and easier access to the job market.
- π° While the tax burden and social security contributions are high in Germany, they fund essential services like healthcare and education, which are largely free for residents.
- π‘ Homeownership rates in Germany are low, with most residents renting, which can be a consideration for immigrants planning for long-term stability.
- π± Some immigrants find the initial integration challenging but eventually adapt and thrive, suggesting that with the right support, Germany can be an attractive destination for skilled workers.
Q & A
What is the current demographic challenge Germany is facing?
-Germany is experiencing a rapid aging population, with a shrinking working population as baby boomers retire, leading to a situation where there are now around two workers for every pensioner.
How many skilled immigrants does Germany need annually according to the federal employment agency?
-Germany's federal employment agency states that the country requires approximately 400,000 skilled immigrants per year.
What are the top three reasons skilled workers move to Germany?
-The top three reasons skilled workers move to Germany are career opportunities, safety, and the good healthcare system.
What challenges do immigrants face when trying to find accommodation in Germany?
-Immigrants often struggle to find affordable accommodation, with many experiencing difficulties due to high costs and a competitive housing market, leading to long search periods.
How does the language barrier affect the integration of immigrants in Germany?
-The language barrier can make it harder for immigrants to find services, interact with locals, and feel welcomed, as there is an expectation for them to learn German quickly to access services and integrate into society.
What is the Blue Card and why is it significant for skilled workers in Germany?
-The Blue Card is a special visa for highly skilled workers, which allows professionals in fields with labor shortages, such as IT experts, engineers, and doctors, to live and work in Germany. It also provides the benefit of easy mobility to most EU countries with a job offer.
Why might some skilled immigrants be unhappy with their financial situation in Germany?
-Despite earning an average salary, the high tax burden and Social Security contributions in Germany can result in a lower take-home pay, which might not cover all living expenses, leading to dissatisfaction among some skilled immigrants.
What are some suggestions for improving the experience of skilled immigrants in Germany?
-Suggestions include providing better support during the initial years, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, simplifying paperwork, and offering incentives for learning German to make the integration process smoother and more welcoming.
How does the healthcare system in Germany benefit from foreign workers?
-Foreign workers play a crucial role in the healthcare sector in Germany, with around one in six healthcare workers not being German, helping to meet the rising demand for healthcare services.
What is the perception of Germany's welcome culture among immigrants as portrayed in the script?
-The script portrays a mixed perception of Germany's welcome culture, with some immigrants finding it challenging to adapt due to language barriers, bureaucracy, and a lack of immediate social integration, while others appreciate the opportunities and stability it offers.
Outlines
π΄ Aging Population and Immigration Needs in Germany
Germany is facing a demographic challenge with a rapidly aging population, resulting in a shrinking workforce and an increased need for skilled immigrants. The federal employment agency estimates that the country requires 400,000 skilled immigrants annually to sustain its workforce. Despite the need, the reception of immigrants is a contentious issue. The video features perspectives from skilled workers from India and Turkey, discussing their experiences and the three top reasons why skilled workers choose Germany: career opportunities, safety, and a good healthcare system. The narrative also touches on the complexities of navigating German bureaucracy and the challenges of finding accommodation, which are significant hurdles for newcomers.
π₯ Healthcare Dependency and Cultural Adjustments
The script highlights Germany's dependency on foreign healthcare workers, with one in six healthcare workers being non-German, and the demand for them is increasing. It contrasts the work culture in Germany, which is characterized by a focus on work with minimal small talk, with the more communicative workplace culture in India. The video explores the challenges of making friends in Germany, which ranks low in social connectivity among 53 countries, and the experiences of discrimination faced by people of color. It also discusses the importance of language in integrating into German society and the feelings of being an outsider that some immigrants encounter.
π Housing and Financial Realities for Skilled Workers
This section delves into the housing market in Germany, where over half of the population rents, making it difficult for skilled workers to finance home purchases. It presents personal stories of immigrants who have successfully navigated the job market with the help of a Blue Card, a special visa for highly skilled workers that allows for easier movement within the EU. The narrative also addresses the financial challenges faced by skilled immigrants, with high taxes and social security contributions affecting their take-home pay. The video contrasts the experiences of those who find Germany welcoming with those who feel alienated, often due to language barriers and cultural differences.
π Global Mobility and Integration Strategies
The final paragraph discusses the benefits of the Blue Card for global mobility and the decision of some skilled workers to remain in Germany or move to other countries within the EU for better opportunities. It emphasizes the importance of language proficiency in integrating into German society and the financial and social support that is necessary for immigrants to thrive. The video concludes with suggestions for Germany to improve its attractiveness to skilled immigrants, such as reducing bureaucracy, providing better initial support, and incentivizing language learning. It invites viewers to share their thoughts on Germany's attractiveness to skilled immigrants.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Aging Population
π‘Skilled Immigrants
π‘Workforce
π‘Baby Boomers
π‘Bureaucracy
π‘Language Barrier
π‘Healthcare Workers
π‘Blue Card
π‘Discrimination
π‘Tax Burden
π‘Home Ownership
Highlights
Germany faces a demographic challenge with a rapidly aging population and a shrinking workforce.
The country requires 400,000 skilled immigrants annually to address labor shortages.
Skilled immigrants are attracted to Germany for career opportunities, safety, and a robust healthcare system.
Despite the need, Germany's bureaucracy presents a significant hurdle for immigrants.
Finding affordable accommodation is a common struggle for newcomers.
Language barriers can exacerbate difficulties in integrating into German society.
Germany's work culture, which values focus and minimal small talk, can be a shock for immigrants.
The healthcare sector is particularly reliant on foreign workers, with one in six healthcare workers being non-German.
Discrimination is a significant issue, with many people of color experiencing racism.
The Blue Card offers a pathway for highly skilled workers to live and work in Germany and the EU.
High taxes and social security contributions in Germany can impact immigrants' financial satisfaction.
Despite challenges, many immigrants appreciate Germany's safety, equality, and sense of order.
The Netherlands is seen as a more welcoming alternative for some skilled workers.
Germany's high cost of living and housing can be a deterrent for potential immigrants.
Education is a significant factor for families considering long-term residence in Germany.
Suggestions for Germany include better support for immigrants, reduced bureaucracy, and incentives for learning German.
Transcripts
Germany has a huge problem its
population is aging fast they're now
around two workers for every pensioner
the working population is shrinking as
hundreds of thousands of baby boomers go
into
retirement Germany's federal employment
agency says the country needs 400,000
skilled immigrants a year in Germany we
need skilled Workforce we need
additionally um skilled Workforce from
abroad but whether immigrants f welcome
is a whole other
[Applause]
[Music]
question H so is Germany attractive
enough for skilled
immigrants in India when I used to work
I was almost busy I had a lot of like
say like work from office so there was
not enough time for me
I can move to Netherlands and still keep
the position I have I will be very close
to Germany so uh whenever I'm needed in
the headquarters it's just a couple of
hours away now before we hear more from
panach taiza and ozan here are the three
top reasons why skilled workers move to
Germany
career opportunities they want to gain
experience or get ahead number two
safety and rounding out the top three
The Good Health Care System Believe It
or Not salaries are in fourth place
other reasons include its democracy good
education system and clean
air my name is chaponda and I've been
living in Germany for the last 17 years
so I'm curious about what other skilled
immigrants make of this country I'm
bankage from India uh I came here 2 and
a half years ago with my family I work
in IT industry and I'm planning to stay
here longer and apply for the
citizenship I'm I came to Germany 3
years ago from Turkey I work as a
business developer now I'm planning to
leave
Germany three people three stories
making it in Germany isn't a walk in the
park for one just finding a One-Stop
shop to help you navigate the
immigration rules is a challenge we
struggle to find one right Marta yes
it's very
confusing German bureaucracy is a lot of
paperwork and if you miss out on
something uh let's say if you get late
to your appointment even for 5 minutes
you will miss that appointment it's
quite you know Annoying to to get the
things done you need to wait for 3 weeks
or 4 weeks and you just have to wait you
cannot do anything you cannot simply you
cannot do anything in that case so yeah
you have to
wait wow when I moved to Germany in 2007
I didn't have to wait too long many
things seemed
easier it was quite difficult to to get
an apartment in the very beginning I
came with my family so I was looking for
an apartment which suits our family
[Music]
over half the people looking for a new
home have been searching for more than a
year and most of them say they can't
find accommodation because what's an
offer is just too expensive so for
panage it was a catch 22 you need to
show proof that you have a registed
address to be able to access government
services and you can only get that from
your property owner Airbnb Hotel don't
count because they are considered
commercial
accommodations I was getting a lot of
letters from the school because it is
mandatory for a children who is more
than 6-year-old to go to the school as I
was not having a home so where could I
send him so I was just trying to find
out an apartment and I was not finding
an apartment and I was getting a letter
from the school again and
again Pan's employer rented an apartment
for him but not everyone is so lucky I
have my colleague uh she was trying to
find an apartment she's a German but she
could also not find the apartment so
it's not like for Foreigner it's for
everyone but for many foreigners the
language barrier makes it even
harder I don't find it very welcoming
when you object or refuse to give
service in any other language it's not
only a language barrier but it's like an
imposition like they impose this to you
and I I'm really having difficulty to
understand this actually so much for
Germany's so-called welcome culture will
Commons
go do you speak German to Italian
colleagues or French
colleagues the first thing I look when
I'm buying a service is if they offer a
foreign language with their services
that's the first thing I look at it's
not because I don't want to learn
German people are expecting you to be at
their level with their language and from
day one to two
suddenly you switch and you become one
of them it's not that simple
[Music]
[Music]
but Germany desperately needs nurses
around one in six healthcare workers
isn't German and the need for them is
Rising by the year if it weren't for its
foreign workers Tia's Hospital would
have to reduce its bed capacity by a
third
yeah when I came here it was quite
shocking because in India we used to
talk a lot even though in workplaces
also we we chitchat a lot we talk a lot
but in in Germany I noticed
like the when they work they work so
there is there is not much let's say
like people do not talk much so it was
very difficult to you know to get into
the system to get to talk to the people
well Germans aren't known for small talk
and I wouldn't recommend dropping in on
anyone unannounced either
[Music]
when I first moved here of course my
expectation was to make a big leap in my
life I thought I would be more in the
center but then I felt more outside
actually so of course it leaves you a
feeling of a dissatisfaction and
frustration among 53 countries Germany
ranks fifth from the bottom when it
comes to making friends my tip lower
your expectations when it comes to
making friends fast in Germany
with the community here it was a lot
easier they would show me things they
would give me suggestions even during a
small talk they would say yeah have you
tried this one have you heard about
this not necessarily I would prefer to
connect with these people just because
they could speak my uh mother tongue but
I find it quite relaxing and refreshing
actually finding a place in German
society looks different for everyone and
a lot has to do with language
yeah
braan but sometimes TAA is made to feel
like an
outsider discrimination is a major
problem statistics show that three out
of five blacks and other people of color
living in Germany have already experien
racism
here I should know and it makes Germany
less attractive despite the fact that
companies desperately need skilled
workers after 1 and a half year I was
looking for uh some uh senior kind of
role as
well so then I started looking for a
change and I got an opportunity which is
uh like permanent remote now at the same
time my wife needs to know the language
first without knowing the language it's
very difficult for her to get a
role and to learn the language she needs
to go in the morning like four or 5
hours
classes I wanted to go forward with the
language first and then I will pursue my
uh it course from The Institute and then
I will uh continue with the job in it
field I can stay at home and work and
can let's say drop the children in the
morning to the kinder Garden out of the
school for me it's it's it's good
yeah for years Germany has had a hot job
market for it experts and panage was
able to easily switch jobs because he
has a blue card that's a special visa
for highly skilled workers Engineers
doctors nurses teachers scientists and
it experts are among the professions
with a severe labor shortage that
qualify and it experts can get a blue
card even without a University
degree once a person has a blue card
they can move easily to most EU
countries as long as they have a job
offer Europe needs
workers with the blue card the mobility
is not a problem I will just transfer my
blue card to Netherlands and plus they
have some advantages too for uh I think
they call us expats I'm planning to
enjoy those uh additional um addition
what additional
offerings Germany was a good choice for
the time
being it is safe you are treated equal
as long as you speak the language you
have purchasing power you have the sense
of security it's quiet it's orderly
where I'm coming from it's quite chaotic
I really needed this and sometimes when
I'm back to Turkey I find myself oh my
God I missed home and by home I mean
Haner
[Music]
TAA is turning a hobby into a side
Hustle
for
end for me as from
[Music]
from and it's not just about support at
the beginning immigrants need to
understand how salaries are
taxed a nurse will earn
3,433 on average and if they don't have
children
β¬17 goes to income tax and β¬ 723 to
Social Security the tax burden and
Social Security reactions are high so
their take-home pay will be β¬
2,293 and from that they'll need to
cover rent groceries and clothes and
other expenses
too this could be a reason why two out
of five skilled immigrants in Germany
are somewhat or very unhappy with their
financial situation and yet Healthcare
and education are practically free here
that's largely thanks to the high taxes
and Social Security deductions but other
countries like the Netherlands have
lower taxes for
expat the reason why I'm choosing now
Netherlands is that it's open for
foreigners and not only rdam but all
around Netherlands it really feels like
it is more welcoming I just want to also
underline that this is not open to
immigrants but when you have a privilege
like a blue card or if you are a skilled
employee it's easier for you to start a
life in this kind of countries I know my
privileges and I know these privileges
are more beneficial here I'm even
planning on buying a new
[Music]
apartment Germany has the lowest home
ownership rate in the EU more than half
of the people are renters because it is
much harder to finance a home purchase
entirely through a bank loan for the
time being my plan is to stay in
Rotterdam three out of five single
people who want to move to Germany plan
to stay permanently for those with
families it is three out of four maybe
because education is free
here my children at least I want them to
you know complete the school here and
the university
[Music]
here here
Ina the keyword for Rotterdam is
accessible the connectedness feeling is
my biggest expectation here wait you
don't have it
so is Germany attractive enough for
skilled immigrants well I'm applying for
German citizenship but having gone
through some of the challenges that oan
taiza and panage have mentioned I have a
couple of suggestions for
Germany one provide better support to
Skilled immigrants during their first
few years in the country two reduce
bureaucracy simplify the paperwork like
tax declarations for instance three
reward skilled immigrants who choose to
learn German no should feel like they're
losing time or money when investing in
the one language that would make their
lives easier
here so how attractive do you think
Germany is for skilled immigrants we
want to hear from you in the comments
[Music]
Browse More Related Video
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)