Bertelsmann study:

Germans fear housing shortage due to migrants

Young migrants in Germany (archive photo)

(Bild: APA/AFP/CHRISTOF STACHE)

Germany's population is becoming increasingly skeptical of migrants. They fear additional costs for the state, problems in schools and housing shortages, for example, as a new study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung shows.

In line with this result, the willingness to take in refugees has also fallen significantly. A representative survey of around 2,000 people in Germany aged 14 and over was conducted. While only 36% of respondents said in 2021 that Germany would not be able to take in more migrants, a clear majority (60%) now say the same. "The sharp rise in concerns relates to systemic capacities," said study author Ulrike Wieland. The result should not be interpreted as a rejection of people per se. In fact, most respondents think that immigrants are welcome in their country.

Some respondents think that migration can counteract the ageing of society (symbolic image).

(Bild: AFP)

73 percent expect conflicts
However, there are differences, for example depending on the region and whether the national population or only the local population is meant. In eastern Germany, only one in three people surveyed believe that migrants are very or at least somewhat welcome locally. Overall, 78% expect immigration to result in additional costs for the welfare state, while only slightly fewer (74%) fear a housing shortage in conurbations and conflicts between locals and immigrants (73%).

However, according to the study, people also perceive positive consequences, such as less ageing of society and the importance of international companies settling here. Almost one in two people (47%) believe that migration can compensate for the shortage of skilled workers. Among the optimists are mainly young people up to the age of 29 and higher educated people with a school-leaving certificate or university degree.

Migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey
According to the Federal Office for Migration, 329,120 people applied for asylum in Germany for the first time last year. Most of them came from Syria, Turkey and Afghanistan. Compared to 2022, this was around 50 percent more initial applications. In addition, around 1.4 million refugees from Ukraine are currently living in Austria's neighboring country.

Incidentally, three quarters of respondents believe that migrants should be distributed among the EU countries. Their own state should ensure that migrants are allowed to work more quickly.