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Life situations of older refugees in Germany ,
BAMF Brief Analysis 5|2021 provides an overview of the social structure, the circumstances of arrival, as well as the situations faced by refugees aged 45 and older living in Germany.
Largely on the basis of the 3rd wave of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP survey of refugees from 2018, the author studies the composition of the group of refugees aged 45 and older, most of whom came to Germany between 2013 and 2016, with regard to their gender, age, and countries of origin. Further, the study analyses the circumstances of their arrival and how they have settled in Germany, thereby paying special attention to their family and social situations. Finally, the concerns and the level of satisfaction of this group of individuals in various areas of life are also examined.
The most important results at a glance
A small group with specific challenges
Older individuals only make up a rather small share among refugees. 12 percent of those who have come to Germany to seek protection since the beginning of 2013 were 45 or older in 2018, and most of them were between 45 and 49 years old. Only 2 percent were aged 60 or older. This group of individuals faces particular disadvantages, specifically with regard to the development of their German skills, their integration into the labour market, and their social contacts with Germans. These trends are more prominent in the older age cohorts.
Particular importance of the family
The family plays a particularly important role in the lives of older refugees. Compared to younger men, they are more likely to live together in a household with close relatives, mostly with a partner and children. However, with higher age the proportion of childless and one-person households increases. This brings along the risk of social isolation, given the relative lack of social contacts.
Greater concerns, which do, however, not lead to disadvantages in terms of the overall well-being
Older refugees are more concerned about their own health and economic situation than younger ones are. Even though these concerns are negatively correlated with their well-being, both groups show a similar level of overall satisfaction with life. Additional analyses demonstrate that above all the family living situation appears to have a protective effect for older refugees in that respect.
The Brief Analysis was written by: Dr. Amrei Maddox