Hunting for a More Perfected Germany
An increasing number of Germans are expressing a desire to emigrate, with nearly 60% of the population considering a potential move abroad. The motivation seems rooted in a fundamental discomfort with their own country, evidenced by a YouGov survey commissioned by the German Press Agency.
When queried about the prospect of leaving Germany, 31% responded "definitely," and 27% indicated "probably." Meanwhile, 22% would "probably" not emigrate, and 15% "definitely not." Notably, this desire to emigrate is particularly strong among Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) voters, with 55% saying they would "definitely" and 24% "probably" emigrate.
The current political climate may be contributing to this sentiment, as 36% of those who could imagine emigrating have given more serious thought to the idea in the past few months. Among their main concerns are the migration situation in Germany, the economic recession, the rise of the AfD, Russia's military threat, and potential US abandonment of Europe as its protector due to Trump's presidency.
Switzerland and Austria are the most preferred destinations for potential emigrants, attracting 30% and 23% of respondents respectively, followed by Spain and Canada with 22% and 17%. Swiss historian and director of the German Emigration Center, Simone Blaschka, suggests that the language similarity and political conditions may play a role in these choices.
However, German sociologist Oliver Nachtwey, who teaches at the University of Basel, proposes another explanation. He believes that potential emigrants are seeking a return to a Germany of the 80s and 90s, a time when infrastructure was in better condition, and politics functioned more smoothly. Switzerland, despite having a higher proportion of migrants, surpasses Germany in infrastructure quality and political stability.
Despite economic challenges and dissatisfaction with political development, not all Germans are considering emigration. Former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, for instance, has no intention of leaving Germany, regardless of the AfD's political standing.
As for Switzerland, its economic stability, legal facilitation through the free movement agreement with the EU, and high standard of living make it an attractive destination for German emigrants. The country's multilingual nature and cultural proximity to Germany may further ease the transition for potential immigrants. Meanwhile, its status as both a country of immigration and emigration demonstrates a fluid movement of people, reflecting its strong economy and favorable living conditions.
The community policy and employment policy of Germany might be under scrutiny due to the growing number of Germans expressing a desire to emigrate. Concerns about lifestyle, education-and-self-development, politics, and general-news are shaping this sentiment, with potential migrants considering Switzerland and Austria for their vocational training opportunities and political stability.
