The 2025 Happiness Atlas (GlückAtlas) has found that German satisfaction continues to increase, even reaching pre-coronavirus levels. The overall score is up to 7.09 out of ten. Eastern Germany is generally happier, though the happiest city was Hamburg. The ‘happiness gap’ is still present, as the East sees the most rise, while the West only follows with slight increases.
The BiB.Monitor Well-Being survey, conducted by the Federal Institute for Population Research, measured 30,000 individuals living in Germany aged 20-52 and produced similar results but included the specific study of immigration integration in an effort to counsel “policymakers, businesses, and civil society” on how to successfully integrate any generation of immigrants.
Which Group of Immigrants Is Most Satisfied?
The most satisfied group was found to be immigrants born in Eastern European countries at 7.2 points, followed by new immigrants born in Western European countries tied with people born in Germany at 7.1 points.
Eastern Europeans also have the highest share of very satisfied individuals at 23.5% compared to Western Europeans’ 17.8% and Germans’ 17.3%.
Germany has a long history of migration with these countries that have easier migration paths, especially with those now in the EU. The same could be said for the successor states of the Soviet Union, who have German heritage.
Immigrants from Asia and Africa reported being the most dissatisfied: more than one in three. Researchers suspect this could be due to experiencing racism, more difficult migration journeys, and greater cultural distance.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
By the end of 2024, a total of 3.3 million protection seekers were registered in Germany. The largest countries of origin (by nationality) were Ukraine (1.1 million), Syria (713,000), Afghanistan (348,000), and Iraq (190,000). Eritreans (67,000) were also included in the study.
Though their life satisfaction slightly rose compared to 2024, Ukrainian refugees’ satisfaction remains very low, with almost half saying they are dissatisfied with their situation.
“Among the large group of Ukrainians seeking protection in Germany, we see lower life satisfaction, especially among older women,” Katharina Spiess, head of Bib.Monitor, explained to DW News. “This could be related to the fact that their partners are still in Ukraine and may be actively involved in the war.”
The average life satisfaction of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Eritrea was found to be higher than that of refugees from Ukraine.
Among refugees who arrived in 2015-16, Syrians show high levels of satisfaction, with almost one in three saying they are very satisfied. Afghans overall also report notably high satisfaction numbers. By contrast, Iraqis and Eritreans are the opposite, with almost one in three being dissatisfied.
The main influencing factor here was the legality of status and access to certain allowances, like family reunions. Those with recognized protection status are more satisfied (7.5 points) than those in ‘tolerated’ stay (5.6 points) and uncertain status (5.7 points).
Integration Paradox
Today, almost 30% of all adults in Germany have a migration background, with 26% having immigration history, according to BiB.Monitor’s study.
The phrase “integration paradox” was defined by sociologist and integration researcher Aladin El-Mafaalani, who described how successful integration increases the potential of conflict between immigrants.
“We are observing the so-called ‘integration paradox,’” Spiess confirmed, “in which the descendants of immigrants are less satisfied than their immigrant parents.”
For example, a descendant of immigrants is more likely not only to participate in society but also to take part in making changes to it: this conflicts with those who resist change, frustrating those integrating.
“The finding that the descendants of immigrants are not as satisfied as others may also be related to the fact that their expectations may not have been met and their integration is not working as well as they and society had hoped,” Spiess added.
Those who are integrated can still face miscommunicated situations: many struggle to get accepted to positions due to their foreign-sounding name, despite having German qualifications, since employers assume there is a language barrier.
BiB.Monitor suggests improving the well-being of immigrant descendants to avoid their emigration from the country, not just for the individuals themselves: their German qualifications with their diverse background would greatly benefit the German society and economy.
German Language Skills Integral for Satisfaction
Though satisfaction points overall are equal amongst those who speak German at home and those who don’t, a larger share is dissatisfied amongst those who do not speak the language at home.
This correlates with the complaints of immigrant children who say they are at a disadvantage as Germans assume they don’t speak the language.
Satisfaction also increases with the length of people’s stay in the country. In the adult population (up to 52 years of age), those who have stayed in Germany for 46 years or more are happiest, with a score of 7.8. The share of very satisfied individuals is also highest in this category at 33.6%. The highest percentage of dissatisfactions was found among those who have been in the country for 16-25 years, at 32%.
Most Important Takeaways for Policymakers
Researchers highlight that access to health, language skills, and acceptance of foreign qualifications have the greatest impact on the satisfaction of immigrants in Germany.
They suggest specialized health care and providing better access, especially for refugees. To provide stability and healing, sensitive psychological care would help address the mental scars left by war and displacement. For those with the lowest satisfaction, Ukrainian women, childcare support for preschool and primary school children could greatly improve not just satisfaction but also their participation in the labor market.
Professional training and support for language acquisition would greatly contribute to integration efforts and a better economy as well. Faster and more transparent recognitions of foreign qualifications, which are currently a major barrier for employment, would also allow migrants to contribute.
While, they highlight, migration cannot explain all tendencies, its relevance in German politics and social development is undeniable and should not be ignored.
