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Language skills and employment rate of refugees improving with time ,
BAMF Brief Analysis 1|2019 presents first findings based on the second wave of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP survey of refugees in 2017. The survey is a longitudinal study of refugees and their household members, who came to Germany between January, 1 2013, and December, 31 2016. The total sample included 7,430 adults who were surveyed at least once. In comparison to the previous year, an improvement in the integration and inclusion of refugees is evident in all the examined areas.
Significant improvement of German language proficiency compared to the previous year
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The majority of refugees had a weak command of German at the time they arrived. In comparison to the previous year, the interviewees had improved their language skills in all the assessed linguistic domains (speaking, reading, and writing). Further, it shows that contact with Germans and the attendance of language courses proved particularly beneficial. Female refugees with children were least able to improve their German language proficiency.
Growing involvement in education and rising employment rate
In comparison to the previous year’s survey, more refugees were attending a general educational or vocational training and more refugees were employed. Commonly, they were employed as trainees or part-time. In general, refugees find themselves in different employment structures to those they had experienced prior to coming to Germany, and contrary trends are observed regarding the job fit: While almost a third of the refugees work in occupations for which they are formally overqualified, a quarter also work in occupations whose demands go beyond their formal qualification. Participation in integration measures improves both employment and earnings. Women with children are only rarely able to take up employment.
Physical health comparable to nationwide average
In terms of physical health, there are only marginal differences between refugees and the average population. However, due to potentially traumatising experiences in wars and while fleeing, refugees are exposed to a higher risk of mental illness than the nationwide average. The health risks rise with age, and particularly among women.
The Brief Analysis was prepared by:
Prof. Dr. Herbert Brücker, Johannes Croisier, Dr. Yuliya Kosyakova, Dr. Hannes Kröger, Dr. Giuseppe Pietrantuono, Dr. Nina Rother and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Schupp