Germany's Turkish population poorly integrated, study shows

Jan 26, 2009, 13:54 GMT

Berlin - Germany's population of Turkish descent is poorly integrated compared to other immigrant groups, according to a study published Monday.

The research, conducted by the Berlin-Institute for Population and Development, is based on information collected in 2005 which, for the first time, took into account the ethnic origins of German passport holders.

Numbering 2.8 million people, Germany's Turkish population is one of the country's largest immigrant groups, second only to the ethnic Germans who returned from eastern Europe after the fall of communism.

Education, considered a key indicator of integration, shows significantly low results for Turks or Germans of Turkish origin.

Around 30 per cent have no school leaving qualification whatsoever, and just 14 per cent have passed university entrance level exams, less then half the average of their German counterparts.

These results are also replicated in the labour market where Turkish people experience high rates of unemployment, are more likely to be social security recipients, and women frequently stay at home.

During the economic boom of the 1950s, large numbers of Turks were invited to work in Germany, on the understanding that these so-called 'guest workers' would one day return home.

Instead, their families followed, leading to a huge Turkish population growth.

The low socioeconomic standing of the Turkish labourers, coupled with their large presence in Germany, reduced the impetus for Turkish families to adapt to Germany, learn the language or value their children's education, the report says.

In addition, the report shows little improvement for successive generations, and a very low rate of intermarriage between ethnic Turks and Germans.

The government representative for integration issues, Maria Boehmer, described the report's findings as dramatic. She pointed out however, that these figures date back to 2005.

'This was the background that led us to say: we are changing direction in integration politics,' Boehmer said Monday.

In an interview with Spiegel magazine, Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said it was important to tell the socially disadvantaged, 'you are important, we value you - you are worth as much as the others.'

Around 20 per cent of all German residents are considered to be from a migration background.

The findings of the report showed that the most successfully integrated immigrants were from other EU countries, ethnic Germans from eastern Europe and migrants from the Far East.