By dpa TIN24 EDITOR Amit Alhat
Berlin, January 11, 2026 – One in five people in Germany say they have considered leaving the country, according to a new survey that sheds light on emigration sentiments amid ongoing demographic shifts.
The study, conducted by the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), revealed that 21% of respondents have thought about emigrating. Among Germans without a migration background, the figure stood at 17%. In contrast, those who immigrated to Germany were twice as likely to consider leaving, with 34% expressing such thoughts.
The primary motivation cited by roughly half of those contemplating emigration was the hope for a better life abroad. For individuals with a migration background, experiences of discrimination were also a frequent factor influencing their considerations.
Despite these sentiments, actual plans to leave remain uncommon. Only 2% of respondents indicated they intended to move abroad within the next year. This aligns with official data from the Federal Statistical Office, which reported that 1.2 million people emigrated from Germany in 2024.
The DeZIM study emphasizes that public discussions on immigration often ignore the reality of outbound migration, which has significant implications for Germany’s aging population and persistent labor shortages.
Emigration considerations were particularly high among those with family ties to Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa, at 39%. This was followed by immigrants from the former Soviet Union (31%) and EU countries (28%).
The research involved surveying 2,933 participants between summer 2024 and summer 2025, with each respondent queried five times to monitor changes over time. Overall, emigration thoughts showed little fluctuation, except for a notable 10 percentage point spike among immigrants and their descendants shortly before the federal election in February 2025.
This survey highlights the complex dynamics of migration in Germany, where inbound and outbound flows continue to shape the nation’s future.
Author: The India News 24
TIN24 (The India News 24) The India News 24 (TIN24) is a Mumbai-based news Digital Media focusing on breaking news, local and regional issues in India, with content primarily in Marathi. It was established with an X (Twitter) presence since July 2022. Owner & News Editor: Amit Alhat Education: BA in Mass Communication Journalism (Graduate) Experience: 12 years in journalism Platforms: - Website: https://theindianews24.in - X (Twitter): https://x.com/the_indianews24 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theindianews247 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindianews_24
