Quest for an Enhanced Germany: An Ongoing Exploration
A Growing Desire for Expatriation: A Significant Number of Germans, Especially AfD Voters, Express a Longing for a New Home Abroad
In a survey commissioned by the German Press Agency, more than half of the German population considered the possibility of emigrating abroad. The reasons behind this trend range from socio-political concerns to economic motivations.
When asked if they could envision leaving Germany and starting anew elsewhere, 31 percent answered affirmatively, with 27 percent more leaning toward the possibility. A particularly high proportion of AfD voters indicated a desire to emigrate, with 55 percent expressing a definite desire and 24 percent considering it probable.
Recent months have seen an uptick in the number of Germans seriously considering emigration, with 36 percent having thought more deeply about it. The primary reason cited for this desire to leave was the migration situation in Germany, mentioned by 61 percent of respondents. Economic stagnation (41 percent) and the rise of the AfD (29 percent) were also significant factors. The military threat from Russia (22 percent) and potential losses in U.S. support due to President Trump's administration (12 percent) also played a role for some.
Switzerland and Austria are the most popular potential destinations, attracting 30 and 23 percent of would-be emigrants, respectively. Spain and Canada follow closely behind with 22 and 17 percent, respectively. The reasons for these preferences may include the fact that German is spoken in both Switzerland and Austria, and the political climate in these countries is comparably conducive.
German sociologist Oliver Nachtwey, who lives in Switzerland and teaches at the University of Basel, suggests that the motivation behind emigration extends beyond migration concerns. Many Germans appear to yearn for a bygone era of a well-functioning infrastructure and politics, which Switzerland has managed to maintain. Nachtwey posits that the desire to emigrate also represents a longing for a felt lost normality.
Historically, economic difficulties have been the principal catalyst for emigration, according to Simone Blaschka, migration historian and director of the German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven. However, significant emigrational shifts only take place after a prolonged period of severe economic problems. This phenomena is evident in the current situation, with people viewing the ongoing challenges faced by the automotive industry and questioning their future prospects in Germany.
Political dissatisfaction has traditionally been a less prevalent reason for emigration, though the 1920s saw right-wing military emigrating to South America due to their dislike of Germany's transition towards democracy. The ongoing political and legal developments regarding Germany's migration policies reveal deep divisions within the country and help explain why some citizens contemplate emigration as a solution to perceived collective failure.
In the pursuit of a changing lifestyle, some Germans might consider vocational training in education-and-self-development as a means to enhance their personal-growth, in preparation for potential employment opportunities abroad. The growing interest in expatriation among Germans, particularly AfD voters, could be partly attributed to the community policy and employment policy of their preferred destination countries, which they perceive as offering a more conducive environment.
