An opinion poll shows that 14 per cent of adult Germans plan to emigrate within five years. That corresponds to around 8.2 million people. The backdrop is immigration, political dissatisfaction and debate about Germany’s future.

The survey, conducted by INSA and published by Apollo News, reveals large differences between age groups. Among 30–39-year-olds, 27 per cent say they plan to move abroad, while the proportion is only four per cent among those over 70.

Net emigration of German citizens since 2005

Alternative für Deutschland voters are the most inclined to want to emigrate – at 19 per cent. They are followed by supporters of Die Linke – ‘the Left’ – at 18 per cent. Among Green and FDP voters, the figures are lower.

68 per cent of respondents say they have no plans to leave Germany, while 18 per cent are unsure.

According to researchers, ‘stated plans to emigrate’ are not the same as ‘emigration actually taking place’, but official statistics show that Germany has recorded net emigration of its own citizens every year since 2005.