Migration
Approximately a fifth of the German population has foreign roots. A comparatively high proportion of migrants have only a low level of education and therefore little chance on the labour market. Both the government and society as a whole must therefore strive to achieve more effective integration. Well-trained immigrants bring benefits for the indigenous population as well. For example, a foreign engineer who develops a new machine creates work for those who build, market, transport and maintain it. Unfortunately, government policies tend to place obstacles in the way of highly qualified immigrants instead of welcoming them with open arms. An updated immigration law, designed to take special account of skills and qualifications, could help to attract more top brains. Additionally, immigrants should be granted easier access to procedures for recognising qualifications acquired in their homelands to ensure that they are not devalued.
At the same time, everything should be done to stop highly qualified people leaving Germany. However, there can as yet be no talk of a brain drain. Many highly trained Germans may be attracted by the chance to work abroad but the vast majority return home within two years at most.