Integration Report Highlights Progress and Challenges for Immigrants in Germany

The 15th Integration Report released by the German government offers a comprehensive look at the employment, education, and social integration of people with an immigration background as of 2026. Around 69.5% of immigrants aged 15 to 64 are employed, marking progress since 2009, but this is still notably lower than the 81% employment rate of natives without an immigration background. Significant structural inequalities remain, particularly affecting women and income opportunities, with immigrants and their descendants earning about 16% less than non-immigrants.

Education outcomes have improved, with nearly half of immigrant children surpassing their parents’ qualifications. The share of 25 to 34-year-olds holding academic degrees has more than doubled since 2009. Despite this, non-German youth have a higher likelihood of leaving school without a diploma.

The report also highlights a rise in racist discrimination, increasing from 12.6% in 2022 to 15.5% in 2024, along with a rise in hate crimes motivated by xenophobia. Individuals without German citizenship are disproportionately represented as both victims and perpetrators of crime; notably, 40% of those convicted in 2023 were non-citizens.

Integration is important to Germany’s social fabric, with 81% of immigrants and 89% of their descendants identifying strongly with the country. Migration remains crucial to addressing labor shortages, as evidenced by individual examples like migrants employed in sectors such as bakeries, underscoring the essential role migrants play in workforce training and Germany's economy.

Overall, Germany’s immigrant population stands at 21.8 million, or 26.3% of the national population, reflecting a diverse and substantial community that continues to experience both progress and setbacks on the path to full integration.