No future in Germany? Jobs, housing, finances: 20% of young Germans hope for better living conditions abroad. In the long term, emigration appeals to 41% of 14- to 29-year-olds, a new study finds.
I’m not the other commenter, but as a German, I can try to answer from my subjective view. Given you asked about the other comment specifically, I guess I’ll quote and respond to that.
The contention is that people want to leave in part because of high immigration. Germany is not like America. Everyone is entitled to generous social benefits. After many years of high rates of refugee admissions (especially following the Syrian Refugee Crisis), the national budget is becoming very difficult to balance. Taxes continue to rise for everyone, and services are harder to get. Even visiting the doctor can be very difficult now in many cities. Many GPs aren’t taking any new patients. Many young Germans argue that the social contract is broken. The state prioritises the welfare of new arrivals and the elderly, and ignores the needs of the young.
Those are far-right and right-extremist views and talking points. While we do have issues in the mentioned areas, immigration as a cause is largely a scapegoat, certainly when voiced like here, as the sole or primary reason for systemic issues or injustices.
The OP article goes into reasons of why people are dissatisfied or want to emigrate. None of what they mention involves immigrants or immigration. So it certainly doesn’t seem to be a primary concern. Unfortunately, the article doesn’t link to the study itself, and the link to the German source article is broken (links to itself).
Of course there are also many other factors. Germany’s decision to prematurely shut down its nuclear reactors will go down in history as one of the worst political and strategic decisions in history. It caused electricity prices to skyrocket and has decimated Germany’s previously impressive manufacturing sectors. They also have cultural issues embracing technological efficiency improvements. Most government departments still run by fax machine (by law). Most paperwork must be handled physically. Most Germans still prefer cash. Etc.
Nuclear is vastly more expensive than renewables. Building a reactor takes a decade, and costs explode. I don’t think they’re a solution. We have systematic issues in our energy systems, some technical, some political. Nuclear is not it. Our transfer network does not keep up, and we determine energy prices by most costly provider in the mix, and we tax a lot, with different kinds of taxes.
I doubt “most run by fax by law” is still correct. Our government services are certainly not the most innovative, and it takes time, and fax is still part of some things, but it’s not that bad - at least no everywhere.
I don’t think that other people using cash is a primary issue for people wanting to emigrate. The points raised in the article are much more convincing.
Ultimately I agree with you directionally - provided Germany liberalises its immigration only for high earners. This has been the major contention. A very high number of immigrants are low or no skill, and cost the state an enormous amount. This is causing massive economic and social issues. If Germany halted all low/no skilled immigration, sentiment would improve for high skilled immigration. Young people might feel like the social contract were not being torn up.
Germany doesn’t need only “high earners”. The right wing will always scapegoat. They’re already making stuff up and misrepresenting. A different immigration system won’t stop that. If other systematic issues are not resolved, people will remain gullible to this, our of frustration. “High earners coming and taking our jobs” seems much more scary than “low income workers coming and taking those jobs”.
I’m not the other commenter, but as a German, I can try to answer from my subjective view. Given you asked about the other comment specifically, I guess I’ll quote and respond to that.
Those are far-right and right-extremist views and talking points. While we do have issues in the mentioned areas, immigration as a cause is largely a scapegoat, certainly when voiced like here, as the sole or primary reason for systemic issues or injustices.
The OP article goes into reasons of why people are dissatisfied or want to emigrate. None of what they mention involves immigrants or immigration. So it certainly doesn’t seem to be a primary concern. Unfortunately, the article doesn’t link to the study itself, and the link to the German source article is broken (links to itself).
2025 32% new reactors should be built, 57% in favor of continued investment in other forms of renewable energy
Nuclear is vastly more expensive than renewables. Building a reactor takes a decade, and costs explode. I don’t think they’re a solution. We have systematic issues in our energy systems, some technical, some political. Nuclear is not it. Our transfer network does not keep up, and we determine energy prices by most costly provider in the mix, and we tax a lot, with different kinds of taxes.
I doubt “most run by fax by law” is still correct. Our government services are certainly not the most innovative, and it takes time, and fax is still part of some things, but it’s not that bad - at least no everywhere.
I don’t think that other people using cash is a primary issue for people wanting to emigrate. The points raised in the article are much more convincing.
Germany doesn’t need only “high earners”. The right wing will always scapegoat. They’re already making stuff up and misrepresenting. A different immigration system won’t stop that. If other systematic issues are not resolved, people will remain gullible to this, our of frustration. “High earners coming and taking our jobs” seems much more scary than “low income workers coming and taking those jobs”.