Germany’s erratic immigration policies are having a profound impact on the European Union, with the country bearing the brunt of the damage. The influx of migrants into Germany's welfare system from across the globe is becoming an anchor on the economy. As fiscal pressures rise and investment in education declines, emigration is increasingly appealing to many Germans.
The statistics are alarming. Germany, which lacks significant natural resources, is heavily reliant on human capital. However, approximately 210,000 citizens, mostly aged 20 to 40, leave the country every year. Three-quarters of these emigrants hold a university degree, and the trend is only accelerating. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office and the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), Germany’s productivity has stagnated, and the country risks becoming a "poor house" of Europe in the coming decades.
Meanwhile, the number of returnees continues to dwindle. Ten percent of those under 30 are actively seeking jobs abroad. This has sparked concern among experts like Thomas Liebig from the OECD, who emphasizes the urgent need for action. With highly skilled workers in short supply, German businesses and policymakers must critically evaluate why so many well-educated citizens are leaving and how to create incentives for their return.