On the one hand, ongoing trends such as increased and varied mobility, means of transport, and easy access to international information on living abroad contribute to migration being an expected part of modern life. Free or easier movement between countries in some cases, with the EU single market being a prime example, makes migration and integration as such less difficult for citizens of EU member states, Germany included, with a large list of choices on where to work and live at any time of life.
The integration process is not without stumbling blocks. Xenophobic attitudes among locals can make migrants feel unwelcome, excluded from society, and thus unable to integrate. In the worst cases, migrants become victims of criminal acts just because they are not German. In 2021, 646 cases of bodily harm had a xenophobic background although this was a decrease compared with previous years it shows that there is still work to be done on making migrants feel safe in Germany.
Foreign population
One of the most represented nationalities in Germany is Turkey. One of the reasons for this was that during the 1960s, there was a bilateral labor agreement was signed between the two nations. This agreement led to larger numbers of Turkish immigrants settling in Germany to help increase the German workforce in various industries. Other largely represented origin countries among foreigners living in Germany include Poland and Syria. When looking at the 16 German federal states, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg had the highest foreign populations, respectively. In 2021, over 5.2 million foreigners living in Germany did not need a residency status at all, as they were allowed to move freely within the EU. Over 2.5 million had an unlimited residence permit.Integration
Integration is a many-layered, long-term process, going far beyond learning rules, laws, and the local language(s), though these elements are often the starting point for new arrivals. Germany offers so-called integration courses, supported by the government. General integration courses recorded the highest participant numbers, followed by literacy and parents and women integration courses. Most of those who sat a German language test achieved a B1 level (intermediate).The integration process is not without stumbling blocks. Xenophobic attitudes among locals can make migrants feel unwelcome, excluded from society, and thus unable to integrate. In the worst cases, migrants become victims of criminal acts just because they are not German. In 2021, 646 cases of bodily harm had a xenophobic background although this was a decrease compared with previous years it shows that there is still work to be done on making migrants feel safe in Germany.
