Despite the problems associated with a kind of latent xenophobia, Germany is now the second country of immigration, after the United States. It is ahead of Australia and Canada.
Immigration has increased in Germany for the fourth consecutive year to record a double-digit growth.
“The dynamics of migration flows in developed countries is due entirely to Germany, which became the second ground of permanent immigration behind the United States,” says Jean-Christophe Dumont, director of the Migration division.
Overall, these flows have increased by 1.1% in the OECD area representing 4 million new permanent immigrants. Germany hosted 465,777 people in 2013, an increase of 16.3%. This high immigration is the direct effect of the economic dynamics of recent years and a small population. The country faces an aging population and too low fertility rate (1.41 children per woman).
Today, politics and professionals in the job market have realized that now decreasing number of active pensions will assume an increasing number of retirees – an uncomfortable situation for the country. And since the German government cannot impose on the population to increase the birth rate, the only way is to attract foreigners. But Germany is as selective as countries like Canada regarding immigration.
However, in recent years, several packages of measures have been adopted to open the door to selective immigration. Recognition of diplomas and qualifications acquired abroad, implementation of the “Blue Card” to attract European high-skilled foreign countries outside the European Union (EU): now, everything is done to accommodate qualified individuals who want to work in Germany, and to help them integrate.
Only downside – where these packages are offered, for example in India where Germany is trying to recruit young talent, the target group is well aware of the xenophobic atmosphere in Germany – these young talents prefer to launch in the US or in other countries deemed less hostile towards people from other cultures.
