Migration and integration issues have dominated the election campaign in Germany. On one hand, the debate revolves around the risks posed by illegal migrants and those who have committed crimes and the need for stricter border control. On the other hand, the established parties emphasize the benefits of skilled migration in addressing the country’s labor shortage.
Economists, however, agree that Germany’s aging population and shrinking workforce necessitate immigration. The Bertelsmann Foundation estimates a yearly need for 288,000 new arrivals, while Monika Schnitzer, an expert, suggests a target of 1.5 million workers per year.
Despite the efforts of the government, the expectations of immigration as a solution to the labor market problems have not been met. The reasons are multifaceted. While the government has introduced the “Skilled Immigration Act” and the number of work visas has increased, the actual number of immigrants remains low. Many of those who receive visas do not end up in Germany and those who do often struggle to find employment due to the country’s economic decline, high cost of living and limited housing.
Asylum seekers also do not contribute to the labor market in a significant way. Only about half of them receive social benefits and the employment rate among asylum seekers is a mere 46.2%. The government’s positive spin on the situation is misleading, as the majority of asylum seekers are likely to rely on state support in the future, putting a strain on the budget.