Menu
Search
Aspects of the integration of Romanian and Polish nationals who have immigrated to Germany ,
The BAMF's sixth Brief Analysis focuses on selected aspects related to the integration of Romanian and Polish nationals who have immigrated to Germany. 1,250 individuals were included in the representative survey regarding their knowledge of German, qualifications and labour market participation.
The timeframe of immigration
As is shown by the representative survey entitled "Selected groups of migrants in Germany", 62 percent of Romanian immigrants came to Germany between 2010 and 2015 – so that they are referred to here as "new immigrants". 38 percent of the Polish immigrants are new immigrants.
With almost 17 years' average residence, existing Polish immigrants (who came to Germany before 2010) have generally been in Germany longer than existing Romanian immigrants (13 years’ average residence).
Reasons for immigration, schooling and labour market participation
Roughly 70 percent of the new immigrants come to Germany to seek work or to take up a job. This is also the dominant motive for migration among existing immigrants, but family reunification to join a spouse was also frequently quoted. Other reasons occur much less frequently.
Contact
71 percent of the men among the respondents quoted labour migration as the reason why they immigrated, whilst 38 percent of the women stated that they had moved to join their spouses. Those who state that they immigrated for reasons related to the labour market are more likely to be in gainful employment. 68 percent of the respondents stated that they were in gainful employment.
51 percent of new Romanian immigrants have attained at least a general school-leaving certificate at high school level.
Amongst other things, the level of schooling attained increases men’s chances of being in gainful employment. Vocational training and knowledge of German also have a positive impact among the respondent women, whilst experience of discrimination reduces the likelihood of being in gainful employment.
Differences with regard to aspects of integration
Differences with regard to integration-related aspects tend to be more pronounced between existing and new immigrants than between Romanian and Polish immigrants. New immigrants do not yet have such good knowledge of German, they have fewer ties with Germany and have fewer contacts with Germans than existing immigrants do, but they are more likely to desire more contacts.
What actually is integration?
Integration cannot be pinned down to any single indicator. It is possible to distinguish between four dimensions of integration:
- Structural integration refers to a person’s position on the host society’s labour market and in its educational system (example indicators being school-leaving qualification, gainful employment, drawing transfer benefits).
- Cultural integration encompasses the acquisition of cultural knowledge from the host society (such as knowledge of German).
- Social integration includes involvement in the host society (for instance social contacts with people of German origin).
- Identificative integration points to the level of ties with the host society (e.g. intentions to remain or to become naturalised).
Sociodemographic criteria such as different age structures and specific aspects related to the immigration history of specific groups of immigrants also need to be taken into account. Integration furthermore needs to be seen as a reciprocal process. Both the host society and the immigrants need to make an effort to understand one another and work towards making a success of integration. The task of the host society is to offer opportunities to participate and to reduce origin-based discrimination.
Experience of discrimination and intention to remain
Romanian immigrants (for instance roughly 42 percent of new Romanian immigrants) more frequently report of having experienced discrimination than Polish immigrants do. 74 percent of immigrants hope to be able to stay in Germany for a prolonged period of ten years and longer.
The brief analysis is only available in German.
The brief analysis was drawn up by: Dr. Christian Babka von Gostomski