A quarter of migrants who arrived in Germany since 2015 have found jobs

One in four migrants who arrived in Germany to seek refuge from wars and conflicts since 2015 has since found a job. According to figures from the research institute of the Federal Employment Agency, those from Pakistan have been the most successful.

“If employment growth continues at this rate, half of the migrants will be employed within five years,” the IAB’s Herbert Brücker told the Rheinische Post newspaper. According to Brücker, between 8,500 and 10,000 more migrants will find a job by the end of 2018.

Employment agency figures show that migrants from Pakistan have been most successful in finding jobs in Germany. In February 2018, around 40 percent of Pakistani migrants were employed. Success rates are also relatively high among migrants from Nigeria and Iran. One in five Syrians, who make up the largest group of asylum seekers, has managed to find work.

The IAB figures show that most migrants take jobs for which they do not need good German language skills. Nearly one third are working temporary jobs. Some 11 percent are employed in the hospitality and service sectors, for example as cleaners or security guards. Very few migrants are employed in industry, the IAB’s Brücker said. “This is because of the qualifications that they have. Many refugees worked in service sector companies previously.”

Not enough to live on

However, the IAB says even those who have jobs are not necessarily earning enough to live on. 15 percent of migrants who receive social welfare benefits also have jobs, but have to top up their pay with state benefits. This pushes up employment figures, but also means there’s more demand on the welfare system. Migrants make up 14 percent of those receiving social welfare.

In 2015 around 890,000 migrants arrived in Germany. The following year, the figure dropped to around 280,000 and in 2017 to around 187,000.

Marion MacGregor/©InfoMigrants

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