OECD report - Backlog in support for migrants with little education
The integration of immigrants in Germany has developed well in various aspects according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to the country study, nearly two-thirds of immigrants who have lived in Germany for at least five years speak fluent German.
Germany has caught up in terms of academic achievements of children born in Germany to immigrant parents. These achievements have significantly increased in the past 20 years and are currently better than in most other immigrant-receiving countries, as per the report. Germany was compared to Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Great Britain, and the United States.
However, the report also highlights problems. Only half of the migrants with a maximum primary education are employable, and only one-quarter of them reach an advanced German language level after five years of residence.
This group, which makes up more than a sixth of the immigrant population and whose share has increased in the last ten years, requires more attention. Among immigrant-receiving countries, only the Netherlands have a higher proportion of immigrants with a low education level.
Moreover, the proportion of immigrants with a university degree is below average, although it has increased in the last ten years. It is lower than in all other immigrant-receiving countries except Italy. However, the flight from Ukraine has not yet been considered in this context.
Integration commissioner is satisfied
According to the OECD report, children of immigrants in Germany have made progress in educational achievements. The educational gap between these pupils and those of children and adolescents who were born abroad could possibly be due to school closures during the Corona pandemic.
Scientists attribute the difficulties faced by these affected children and adolescents in following the curriculum through distance learning to the lack of supportive learning environment at home, limited possibilities for their parents to support them due to home office constraints, and existing learning deficits. Language barriers and less familiarity with the school system are further factors that may aggravate these problems.
"Integration in Germany functions much better than its reputation," says the Integration Commissioner Alabali-Radovan approximately with regard to the labor market integration of immigrants. Germany achieves a rate of 70% in employment among the employed. This value is higher than in most other EU comparison countries and the highest ever achieved in Germany.
- Despite the positive developments in Germany, New Zealand also shows promising integration results, with a high percentage of migrants achieving native-like fluency in the language after five years.
- Finland and Norway also have strong integration policies, ensuring that migrants are integrated into the workforce and society effectively.
- In contrast, Italy struggles with integration, particularly in the education sector, where children of migrants often face challenges and educational gaps.
- Canada, known for its multiculturalism, has a robust migrant and refugee integration system, focusing on language training, employment, and community involvement.
- According to OECD data, Denmark and France are among the leading countries in terms of integration, with high employment rates among migrants and well-developed education systems.
- Australia and the Netherlands also exhibit impressive integration achievements, with a focus on language education, work integration, and community support.
- Switzerland, often praised for its integration policies, has made significant strides in integrating migrants into various sectors, including education, employment, and social life.
- Reem Alabali-Radovan, the German Integration Commissioner, emphasizes the role of education in fostering integration, working closely with schools and communities to ensure equal opportunities for migrant children.
- Austria, like its neighboring countries, is committed to promoting integration, investing in various programs and initiatives to support migrants in adapting to the new environment.
- Belgium, despite facing challenges in integration, has realized the importance of education in promoting societal cohesion and has introduced policies to improve migrant children's access to quality education.
