One in five young Germans plans to leave the country
One in five young Germans is actively planning to leave the country, and many more are considering it for the future, a new national study shows.
The Jugend in Deutschland (Youth in Germany) report found that 21% of 14‑ to 29‑year‑olds are planning to emigrate, while 41% can imagine moving abroad long term. The survey of 2,012 young people was conducted by Datajockey Verlag in early 2026.
Respondents cited a stagnating economy, soaring housing costs, weak career prospects in the age of AI and rising financial strain. Study director Simon Schnetzer said years of crises are hitting young people hard, leading to stress, exhaustion and a sense of having no future.
Germany’s increasingly polarized politics, especially the rise of the far‑right AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), are also driving many to think about leaving, particularly minorities. At the same time, 29% of young people now say they need psychological support, with even higher rates among women, students and the unemployed.
Despite Germany being the world’s third‑largest economy, many young Germans are looking abroad. A Destatis poll shows Switzerland and Austria as top destinations, with cities like Zurich and Vienna praised for their quality of life. Some, like a law student from Hamburg, are considering places such as Tokyo, London or Paris. Others, like Kaspar Ten Haaf, plan to stay but warn about growing inequality and call for higher taxes on the rich and more support for ordinary workers.