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The integration of immigrating spouses in Germany ,
Spousal reunification is one of the most common reasons for entry among third-country nationals. Since the introduction of the new Immigration Act (Zuwanderungsgesetz) in 2005, almost 350,000 women and men had entered Germany in the context of spousal reunification by the end of 2013.
As diverse as they are with regard to their countries of origin, sociodemographic characteristics and partnership constellations, spouses from abroad have in common that they immigrated for private motives. Now for the first time the BAMF’s Marriage Migration Study 2013 provides us with reliable information on this important group of new immigrants.
2,497 respondents from a variety of countries of origin
In the Marriage Migration Study 2013 men and women were included from countries of origin which are relevant in quantitative terms and who came to Germany between 2005 and 2012 in the context of spousal reunification. The countries were selected in order to ensure that groups are represented where marriages with partners with the same origin are common (intraethnic), as well as those where marriages with Germans without a migration background (interethnic) are dominant. The sample was taken from the Central Register of Foreigners.
Close ties with Germany
Partnership profiles, parenthood and intentions to remain show that close ties already exist with Germany. A major result of the study is that most spouses plan to live in Germany in the longer term or permanently. One reason for this can be found in the family ties. Many are moving to join a partner who was born in Germany or who has already been living in Germany for a very long time.
A high level of interest in learning German
Almost all of the spouses surveyed make active efforts to improve their proficiency of German after arriving in Germany. Particular importance attaches to the integration course in this regard. Roughly 62 percent of those entering between 2005 and 2012 had completed it or were still attending it at the time the survey was taken.
Good schooling and vocational training
The majority of spouses from abroad are well prepared in terms of schooling and vocational training. A good two-thirds of them have obtained a qualification for admission to higher education or a lower secondary diploma in their countries of origin. Roughly 55 percent are graduates or have completed vocational training. Problems however frequently arise when it comes to recognising the professional qualifications.
Men and women differ in terms of the occupational and social context.
Whilst most male spouses from abroad are in work, housework and family work are dominant among female spouses. Many of the women who are not working have pre-school-age children. Gender-specific differences are also revealed when it comes to the frequency of contacts with Germans who do not have a migration background. Men are much better networked than women. This is true both with regard to casual everyday contacts and to friendship-based contacts.
Research Report 22 was drafted by Tobias Büttner and Dr. Anja Stichs.
The report is only available in German.