Integration of immigrants in Germany: Much has been accomplished but problems remain

Germany’s latest Integration Report finds that integration is improving overall, with high employment among people with a migrant background, but significant barriers remain. The findings matter amid heated debate about integration and government cuts to language courses, which Integration Commissioner Natalie Pawlik says are central to helping newcomers take part in society.

About 30% of Germany’s population has a migration background, and the employment rate among immigrants is nearly 70%. The number of workers without German citizenship rose from about 1.8 million in 2009 to 5.8 million in 2025, while employment is much lower among some mothers in immigrant families: about 60%, compared with nearly 88% of women in families with German passports. The report also highlights barriers for some young male refugees and differences in crime statistics, while noting that non-citizens are also more likely to be crime victims.