Has there been a “refugee crisis”? New insights on the recent refugee arrivals in Germany and their integration prospects

Herbert Brücker; Yuliya Kosyakova; Ehsan Vallizadeh

doi:10.5771/0038-6073-2020-1-2-24

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 1–2 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 1–2
- 3–232 Essays 3–232
  - 3–23 An empirical–analytical approach to the study of recent refugee migrants in Germany Irena Kogan, Frank Kalter Irena Kogan, Frank Kalter 3–23
  - 24–53 Has there been a “refugee crisis”? New insights on the recent refugee arrivals in Germany and their integration prospects Herbert Brücker, Yuliya Kosyakova, Ehsan Vallizadeh Herbert Brücker, Yuliya Kosyakova, Ehsan Vallizadeh 24–53
  - 54–89 Selectivity profiles of recently arrived refugees and labour migrants in Germany Christoph Spörlein, Cornelia Kristen, Regine Schmidt, Jörg Welker Christoph Spörlein, Cornelia Kristen, Regine Schmidt, Jörg Welker 54–89
  - 90–122 The Role of Trauma for Integration. The Case of Syrian Refugees Christian Hunkler, May Khourshed Christian Hunkler, May Khourshed 90–122
  - 123–159 The role of length of asylum procedure and legal status in the labour market integration of refugees in Germany Yuliya Kosyakova, Hanna Brenzel Yuliya Kosyakova, Hanna Brenzel 123–159
  - 160–200 Education of Refugee Adolescents at the End of Secondary School: The Role of Educational Policies, Individual and Family Resources Gisela Will, Christoph Homuth Gisela Will, Christoph Homuth 160–200
  - 201–232 “Did you read about Berlin?” Terrorist attacks, online media reporting and support for refugees in Germany Alexander W. Schmidt-Catran, Christian S. Czymara Alexander W. Schmidt-Catran, Christian S. Czymara 201–232
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SozW Soziale Welt , page 24 - 53

Has there been a “refugee crisis”? New insights on the recent refugee arrivals in Germany and their integration prospects

Autoren

Herbert Brücker Yuliya Kosyakova Ehsan Vallizadeh

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/0038-6073-2020-1-2-24
- ISSN: 0038-6073
- ISSN online: 2942-3414
Abstract

Approximately 1.2 million refugees arrived in Germany between 2015 and 2016. The national and international public discourse surrounding the arrival of these refugees covers the full spectrum of opinions. These opinions range from sceptical assessments regarding the 2015 influx as a “refugee crisis” to optimistic appraisals considering the immigration of refugees to be a solution to demographic change and labour shortages. These views are often driven by ideology and emotions rather than grounded in evidence. In this paper, we use data from a unique, nationally representative household survey of refugees who came to Germany between 2013 and 2016 to describe who these refugees are, focusing particularly on demographic and skill characteristics relevant for their successful and sustainable economic integration. We also discuss German public policies and institutional environments to promote refugees’ integration. Our descriptive analysis shows that the processing of asylum applications and the overall provision of accommodations, safety-nets, and integration programs by German authorities have advanced the refugees’ integration process, although the initial shortcomings have been widespread. Over the years, German institutions have generally been open to helping refugees and other immigrants gain ground in Germany. However, there are still challenges for policymakers. One such issue is the gender gap that is reflected in the support for female refugees with childcare obligations, which delays their language acquisition and slows their integration. Nevertheless, the empirical evidence has - contrary to the expectations - given no indications that the influx of refugees in 2015 led to a “refugee crisis” in Germany.
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