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Employment of foreign graduates of German higher education institutions ,
The study covers evaluations of the data from the Central Register of Foreigners, as well as of two questionnaires which were carried out for the first time in 2013. Former holders of a residence permit for the purpose of studying who originate from third countries (Section 16 subs. 1 of the Residence Act [Aufenthaltsgesetz]) and who are still resident in Germany were surveyed on a representative basis, whilst a non-representative survey was carried out among those who have returned to a foreign country.
The proportion of those remaining, calculated on the basis of the Central Register of Foreigners
Evaluations of the Central Register of Foreigners were used to observe for the first time the residence of foreign students in Germany over a prolonged period, and it was discovered that a comparatively large number had remained. According to the survey, roughly 56 percent of the third-country nationals who had studied in Germany between January 2005 and September 2012 and whose residence status had changed were still living in Germany in September 2013. Roughly 6 percent of them had a residence permit for the purpose of seeking a job, 24 percent to pursue an economic activity, 31 percent for family reasons and 20 percent had another residence title (e.g. permanent), whilst 19 percent had applied for a title but had not yet received it.
4,542 respondents in the BAMF’s Graduates Study 2013
Of the roughly 20,400 individuals who were written to for the 2013 graduates survey, 4,542 useable questionnaires were received via an online survey. The main countries of origin of the third-country national respondents are the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Turkey, India, Morocco and Cameroon. There were responses from roughly the same number of women as of men, and the majority of them were aged between 25 and 40.
Labour force participation largely successful
The results of the online survey show that the majority of the respondents are well integrated in the German labour market. 85 percent were in gainful employment at the time of the questionnaire, the lion’s share of them being in full-time paid work and being largely satisfied with various aspects of their work. 38 percent of those who are in work are working as academics in a MINT profession.
Intentions to remain in the long term
Respondents consider the decisive factors for migration to be primarily those related to the higher education institutions (the quality of the higher education institution, gathering experience abroad), as well as professional aspects (career planning, level of income, general economic situation). However, individual private reasons are also important. Family-related factors play a lesser role, as do knowledge of German or contacts with or vicinity to the country of origin. The prime reasons for remaining in Germany after completion of the studies include work-related criteria (gathering work experience, level of income, opportunities on the labour market) and the quality of life in Germany in general terms.
All in all, the respondents are largely satisfied or highly satisfied (81 percent) with their lives in Germany, and feel safe in Germany. However, only a total of 63 percent consider themselves to be welcome or very welcome. Almost one-third plan to remain in Germany forever. Another 43 percent are planning to remain for at least ten years and 19 percent between five and nine years, whilst 7 percent plan to remain for an (initially) short period.
Research Report 23 was drafted by Elisa Hanganu and Barbara Heß. Additionally, by clicking on the right-hand column, you can download an abridged version (in English) of the key research results as well as a paper (in German) published in 2015. The paper compares stay rates of international students in Germany and other destination states.
The report is only available in German.