Migration in Germany

People with a migration background about 20% of the total German population has a migration background two thirds of them are migrants themselves who have come to Germany – the others were born in Germany and belong to the second and third-generation immigrants

Why have they come? The majority are migrant workers and their families who have moved to Germany from southern European countries and Turkey. They were recruited in the 1950s and 1960s because of labour shortage and were called „guest workers.

Why have they come? There is also a number of migrants who have come from Central and Eastern Europe as well as the former Soviet Union because of their right to move to Germany. They are people of German origin whose forefathers had left Germany in the 18th and 19th century

Why have they come? The third and smaller group are ayslum-seekers who mainly came in the 1990s because they were persecuted in their home countries. Many of them are Kurds (who came from Iraq and Turkey) and people from former Yugoslavia.

Where do they come from? Turkey Italy Poland Serbia Greece Croatia Russia Bosnia Ukraine

What is the situation like in Baden-Württemberg about 2,7 million people have a migration background ( = 25 % of the total population in B.W, which is more than in any other country in Germany) 25 % of them are Turkish 15 % are Italian 9 % are Serbian 7 % are Greek

Migrants in Baden-Württemberg about 40 % of all migrants have lived in BW for more than 20 years 200,000 migrants are married to a German partner about 300,000 have applied for a German passport

Migrants in Baden-Württemberg Migrants make up 40 % of the population in Stuttgart, the capital of BW. This is the highest figure in any German city. One third of the population increase in BW is due to foreign migration +birth rate.

What about Ettlingen? only about 9% of the population in Ettlingen don‘t have a German passport (However, there are also people with a German passport and a migrant background) the majority of foreigners are from Turkey ( about 30 %) the other nationalities with a greater number are from Italy,Croatia,Poland, Spain and Romania

What about the Eichendorff-Gymnasium? About 22 % of the students at the EG have a migration background with the number in the lower classes being the highest Their parents come from almost 20 countries

Results of our interviews

Reasons for coming to Germany Most migrants were attracted by the better economic situation in Germany Others left because of persecution and war in their home country Another group came here because of their rights as citizens of German origin and their wish to be united with their families

How long have your parents been living in Ettlingen Most parents/ grandparents have lived in Ettlingen for more than 20 years Their children are second and third-generation immigrants Some of them have a German passport

What languages do you speak at home? Most students speak German with their parents. Some speak German and their native language (often with their mothers) Some can only understand but not speak their native language fluently.

Do your parents still have contacts to their home country? Most of them have because they have relatives living there. Many families visit them in the summer holidays. There are also close contacts through eMails and phone calls.

Do you feel at home in Ettlingen? Most students feel at home and mix with German friends and friends of their ethnic background. Some Turkish students also attend Turkish classes at the Turkish Cultural Centre in Ettlingen.

What about your parents? Most of them feel integrated in Ettlingen and speak German fluently. Some of them stick to their native language at home but speak German with their children. They are happy that their children go to a grammar school and do their best to help them.

Do you feel German or not? Most students who were born here feel German. Some feel German but also have a strong relationship to their parents‘ country. None of them feels like a foreigner.

Have you ever felt discriminated? Most of the students have never really felt dicriminated in any way. Some admit that people have looked at them because of the colour of their skin. A small number believes that some people have a grudge against them because of their ethnic origin.

What about your parents? Most of the students‘parents haven‘t been discriminated either. Some had difficulties finding a flat because of their ethnic background. Others said that their academic achievements had not been recognized in Germany. Some feel they might lose their jobs more easily than their German fellow workers.

Economic integration Many migrants tend to live in areas where rents are cheap. Children with a migrant background often leave school at a very low educational level and have difficulties finding a job.15% leave school without qualification, compared to 6%Germans

Economic integration However, there are also migrants who have managed to start their own business (sometimes with German employees) The number of children with a migrant background who attend a grammar school (like the Eichendorff-Gymnasium) is rising. The same applies to the number of students at German universities.

Do you feel integrated? Most migrants feel integrated but also have a close contact to their fellow countrymen. They often meet at their cultural clubs or at places of worship.

Do you want to go home one day? According to our survey about 40 % of first-generation migrants want to return home. About 25 % don‘t really know if it‘s a good idea or not. 35 % want to stay in Germany for good because they feel fully integrated.