A recent study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research and Coburg University reveals that Germany will require approximately 288,000 immigrants annually until 2040 to maintain its labor force.

Experts emphasize that a strong welcoming culture in government, businesses, and communities is essential for attracting foreign talent.

In 2023, around 70,000 workers immigrated from non-EU countries, but 20,000 left Germany, often due to issues related to residency permits and discrimination.

Discrimination against migrants, particularly in higher-skilled professions, remains a significant barrier to their integration and success in the workforce.

An alternative projection suggests that under less favorable conditions, the annual requirement could rise to 368,000 foreign workers.

From 2041 to 2060, the need is expected to stabilize at around 270,000 workers each year, benefiting from the positive effects of prior immigration.

The impact of insufficient immigration will not be uniform across the country, with regions like Thüringen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Saarland projected to see workforce declines exceeding 10%.

Despite the revised Skilled Workers Immigration Act, which issued over 200,000 work visas in its first year, the government had aimed for 400,000, indicating a significant gap in meeting labor demands.

Implementation of immigration policies is hampered by bureaucratic hurdles and staffing shortages in foreigner authorities, necessitating a cultural shift towards a more welcoming approach.

Currently, actual immigration numbers fall short of the required figures, highlighting the need for the removal of barriers and improved conditions for migrants.

The study also challenges the perception that refugees are primarily a financial burden, noting their potential contributions to the economy.

An illustrative case involves a highly educated Syrian refugee who is leaving Germany for Switzerland due to discrimination and inadequate job opportunities.