SURVEY AMONG "EXPATS": Foreign skilled workers do not like Germany

In August the German newspaper FAZ reported

Germany is becoming increasingly popular with foreign professionals.

A month later the FAZ had to report some not very uplifting news about expats' feelings about Germany.

SURVEY AMONG "EXPATS": 
Foreign skilled workers do not like Germany

The article draws from a paper of the Munich Online-Netzwerk „InterNations“ but in true FAZ fashion does not link to it. Here it is:

Isolated by Language but Economically Secure in Germany

Here is the lowdown:

Expats in Germany feel secure in their jobs and trust in the German economy. However, making local friends and learning the local language are challenges faced by many.

• Germany ranks in the bottom 3 for ease of settling in.
• The majority finds it hard to make local friends.
• 93% believe the German economy is stable.
• 79% rate the quality of education positively.
• The country performs poorly for digital life.

And it goes on

LANGUAGE BARRIER AND A LACK OF LOCAL FRIENDS

Germany has fallen from a previous 23rd rank in 2017 to 36th place out of 68 countries in the 2018 overall ranking. The fall reflects, among other things, Germany’s poor performance in the Ease of Settling In Index, where it placed in the bottom 3 (66th out of 68 countries). Germany has also dropped significantly in terms of quality of life, falling from 10th place to 26th out of 68 countries.

It seems the Germans do not offer the warmest of welcomes, either: over half the respondents (56%) find it challenging to make local friends, ...

It is no wonder that Germany ranks 62nd out of 68 countries in the Friendliness subcategory.

As one expat from the US explains: “The language is extremely difficult to learn and not knowing it creates a feeling of isolation.”

There are positives

In addition to the quality of the environment, expats are also satisfied with the level of medical care in Germany: 82% rate its quality as generally good, with only 13% stating that healthcare is largely unaffordable. A majority of 59% say they considered the healthcare in Germany a potential benefit before moving.

"I enjoy the financial stability, good job opportunities, and stable economy in Germany."

From a personal perspective I can add that my Tibetan daughter who was raised in S. Asia never felt/feels at home in Germany. Her best friends since years are Turks. Come to think of it. A Buddhist together with Muslim ... no problem whatsoever. They go on vacations together, no Germans around.

She speaks fluent German, excellent English and is often mistaken to be a native American. She has no intentions of staying in Germany or keeping her German citizenship. The country is just dead to her.